The ongoing institutional friction at the Rajasthan High Court involving Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma has taken a significant legal turn following the emergence of prior official correspondence. Months before allegations raised by Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta became public, the Rajasthan High Court Advocates Association in Jodhpur had officially approached the Chief Justice of India demanding the transfer of the Acting Chief Justice. The association urged the top court to appoint a permanent Chief Justice in Rajasthan, citing a breakdown of cordial relations between the Bar and the Bench under the prevailing administrative setup.
Lack of Communication and Call for Permanent Chief Justice
The letter was formally dispatched on April 25 by Ranjeet Joshi, President of the Rajasthan High Court Advocates Association, Jodhpur, to the then Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The primary emphasis of the representation was the urgent appointment of a permanent Chief Justice to restore harmony and effective coordination within the court. The advocate body highlighted a growing communication gap between practitioners and the court administration, noting that the absence of constructive dialogue had repeatedly generated friction and misunderstanding during daily proceedings.
Infra Deficit and 10x10 Feet Tin Shed Workspace Constraints
In addition to administrative governance issues, the advocates' body detailed severe deficiencies in basic infrastructure allocated to legal practitioners. The representation pointed out that requests for essential working spaces and small chambers had remained unaddressed for extended periods. It specifically highlighted instances where lawyers were forced to operate out of cramped 10x10 feet tin sheds. The association stressed that the lack of administrative cooperation regarding basic working conditions had fueled widespread dissatisfaction among advocates, directly harming the working relationship between lawyers and judges.
Transfer Request and Alignment with Supreme Court Justice Demands
To preserve the institution's dignity and ensure smooth judicial functioning, the association requested the Chief Justice of India to consider transferring Acting Chief Justice Justice S. P. Sharma to a High Court outside Rajasthan. This April letter has acquired fresh significance following recent action by Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta, who sent three separate letters earlier this month to the Chief Justice of India and Collegium members. Justice Mehta alleged misuse of powers and raised concerns regarding integrity against Justice Sharma based on multiple complaints, demanding his immediate reassignment outside the state.
Pre-existing Strain in Bar-Bench Relations Exposed
The disclosure of the April representation confirms that dissatisfaction regarding court administration and Bar-Bench harmony in Rajasthan predated the recent representations made by Justice Sandeep Mehta. The formal record establishes that advocates had systematically communicated their grievances to the highest judicial authority months ago. As administrative scrutiny intensifies, attention remains focused on how the Supreme Court Collegium addresses the structural and administrative challenges facing the Rajasthan High Court.
