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."

Justice Mehta, in his letters, informed that multiple judges had approached him during his visit, claiming that the ACJ frequently threatens his colleague judges of retributive action, including transfer, claiming his closeness with the CJI. 

Noting that Justice Sharma has been serving as Acting Chief Justice for an unusually long time of 10 months, Justice Mehta further questioned ACJ Sharma's repatriation to the Rajasthan High Court in May 2026. He referred to a March 2023 Collegium recommendation which had declined Justice Mehta's request for repatriation and proposed his transfer to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Justice Mehta questioned why ACJ Sharma was subsequently permitted to return to the Rajasthan High Court despite observations in the earlier recommendation.  

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 into the public domain through media reports, cannot by themselves be treated as a finding against Justice Sharma.

The CJI further stated that the issue needs to be examined at an 'appropriate level' and any action regarding the ACJ of the Rajasthan High Court will be taken by the competent authority only after examining the evidence placed by Justice Mehta and the response of ACJ Sharma.