The Centre has appointed eight judges as chief justices of various high courts, days after the Supreme Court Collegium recommended their names. Among the appointments, Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal of the Chhattisgarh High Court will become the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court. 

The appointment comes at a time when the Rajasthan High Court is facing controversy following serious allegations against its acting Chief Justice, Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, by Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta.

Supreme Court Judge Sandeep Mehta recently wrote three letters to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, accusing the acting Chief Justice, Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, of corruption, nepotism, and abusing his administrative power. He alleged that cases were shifted between benches without proper reason. These accusations triggered intense protests by local lawyers, leading Justice Sharma to go on leave.

Justice Sharma has strongly rejected the claims. He has submitted a detailed response to the Chief Justice of India, arguing that the allegations are completely baseless and stem from personal enmity. He has asked the public and media to remain patient while the judiciary investigates the matter.

Restoring stability

The arrival of Justice Agrawal, who was previously serving in Chhattisgarh, will finally give Rajasthan a regular Chief Justice after almost a year. He was recently appointed acting chief justice in Chhattisgarh following a retirement there on September 4, just before his transfer was finalized. Justice Sharma, who has been the acting head since September last year, is set to retire later this month on September 26. 

While Justice Agrawal's appointment resolves who will lead the court, it does not end the controversy. The Supreme Court collegium is yet to decide on the separate demand to transfer Justice Sharma out of Rajasthan. For now, the fresh appointment is a major step toward restoring daily administrative stability to the state's highest court.