Rajasthan High Court Advocates Strike Against Acting Chief Justice SP Sharma

The Advocates practising before the Jodhpur and Jaipur benches of the Rajasthan High Court have launched a strike against the Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, alleging misuse of powers. 

A video has been circulated on social media showing the advocates sitting in the corridors of the High Court and chanting slogans.

The protest followed recent letters sent by Justice Sandeep Mehta of the Supreme Court to Chief Justice Of India Surya Kant accusing ACJ Sharma of misusing his administrative powers and manipulating case listings. He also urged the CJI to appoint a Chief Justice from another High Court. 

In his letter, Justice Mehta made a strong comment : "There are innumerable instances of Mr. Justice Sharma, exercising powers as the Acting Chief Justice in a manner unbecoming of the leader of the institution... I have received several complaints about the judicial functioning of Mr. Justice S.P. Sharma which, prima facie, raise doubts on his integrity."

However, in a press statement, CJI Surya Kant underscored that allegations against a sitting judge would be examined through an established mechanism. 

The CJI maintained that the contents of the letter cannot be adjudicated in the public domain, and that no conclusion can be reached without giving an opportunity of hearing to Justice Sharma. The allegations of Justice Mehta, which have come in the public domain through media reports, cannot by itself be treated as a finding against Justice Sharma.