Advocates at the Jodhpur and Jaipur benches of the Rajasthan High Court have gone on strike in protest against Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma. Police were called in Jaipur to disperse protesting lawyers.
Visuals from the protest showed advocates raising slogans against Justice Sharma, including allegations directed at the Acting Chief Justice.
The protests follow letters reportedly written by Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, in which he alleged that Justice Sharma manipulated case listings and misused administrative powers. Justice Mehta reportedly requested the CJI to appoint a Chief Justice from another State to lead the Rajasthan High Court with immediate effect.
The CJI subsequently said in a press statement that the Collegium was examining the allegations and that Justice Sharma would be given an opportunity to respond before any conclusion was drawn.
According to sources, bar associations in Jodhpur were scheduled to meet at noon to determine their next steps. The protesting advocates were expected to seek conversion of the meeting into a general house and press for an indefinite strike.
The Chief Justice of a High Court exercises important administrative authority, including matters relating to the allocation and listing of cases. Concerns over the exercise of such powers can be raised before the Chief Justice of India and considered by the Supreme Court Collegium.
The Collegium is responsible for recommending appointments and transfers of judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. Its examination of the allegations does not amount to a finding of wrongdoing; Justice Sharma is expected to be given an opportunity to respond as part of the process.
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