The Rajasthan High Court is currently experiencing unrest as advocates at both the Jodhpur and Jaipur benches have initiated a strike. The protest is directed against Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma. In Jaipur, authorities have intervened, deploying police forces to manage the situation as lawyers rallied in opposition to Justice Sharma.
The demonstrators were seen actively voicing their dissent, chanting slogans such as “Gali gali mein shor hai, humara mukhiya chor hai,” which translates to “There is an uproar in every street, our Chief is a thief.” This public display of dissatisfaction stems from allegations raised by Justice Sandeep Mehta of the Supreme Court.
Allegations Against Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma
Justice Sandeep Mehta recently communicated with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, bringing forth serious accusations against Justice Sharma. The allegations include manipulating case listings and misusing administrative powers within the court. Justice Mehta has urged the CJI to consider appointing a new Chief Justice from another state to head the Rajasthan High Court without delay.
CJI’s Response and Collegium’s Involvement
In response to these allegations, CJI Surya Kant released a statement indicating that the Collegium is currently examining the situation. He assured that Justice Sharma would be given an opportunity to respond to these allegations before any final decision is made. This ensures that the principles of natural justice are upheld, giving Justice Sharma a fair chance to present his side of the story.
Bar Associations’ Next Steps
Meanwhile, sources have reported that bar associations in Jodhpur are planning to convene at noon to discuss further actions regarding the ongoing protest against the Acting Chief Justice. It has been indicated that the meeting may evolve into a general assembly where advocates could decide to escalate the protest into an indefinite strike.
More Read
This situation is evolving, and it remains to be seen how the legal community and judiciary will resolve these serious allegations and internal conflicts. The developments in this case will be closely monitored as the Collegium reviews the claims and considers the future leadership of the Rajasthan High Court.
