A major judicial controversy in Rajasthan has deepened with new revelations. Months before a sitting Supreme Court judge flagged serious integrity concerns, the local bar association had sought the judge’s transfer. The Rajasthan judge transfer lawyers body Acting Chief Justice SP Sharma issue came to the fore when the Rajasthan High Court Advocates Association wrote to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant requesting the immediate transfer of Acting Chief Justice S.P. Sharma. The lawyers’ body argued that shifting the judge was necessary to restore harmony between the Bar and the Bench.
Advocates Association’s Letter to the Chief Justice of India
The bar association sent its formal representation to the CJI earlier this year. The letter highlighted growing friction between practicing lawyers and the judge.
Advocates alleged arbitrary administrative decisions and difficult courtroom conduct.
They requested the Supreme Court Collegium to transfer Justice Sharma outside the state. Association leaders stressed that judicial institutions require mutual trust to function effectively.
Supreme Court Judge Flags ‘Doubts on Integrity’ and Protocol Snubs
The issue escalated when Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta wrote three letters to the CJI.
Justice Mehta, who also hails from Rajasthan, marked the letters to the entire Collegium. He cited several complaints that raise serious questions about Justice Sharma’s integrity.
He also accused the Acting Chief Justice of deliberate protocol violations. Supreme Court judges from the state were reportedly excluded from major official high court functions.
Allegations of Administrative Apathy and Court Inauguration Delay
The complaints also pointed to significant administrative mismanagement. Justice Sharma allegedly delayed the opening of the completed Jodhpur District Court building for nearly a year.
Subordinate courts continued operating from rented spaces while infrastructure changes were demanded.
The communication described this delay as unpardonable administrative apathy. The CJI eventually intervened to inaugurate the judicial complex.
Rocky Judicial Tenure and Prior Inter-State Transfers
Justice Sharma’s judicial career has seen multiple transfers across different states. Elevated to the Rajasthan High Court in 2016, he was shifted to the Patna High Court in 2022.
The Collegium later transferred him to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2023.
He returned to Rajasthan in May this year, assuming the role of Acting Chief Justice. The Supreme Court Collegium is now reviewing the fresh representations regarding his tenure.
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