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Rajasthan HC Lawyers Work, Demand Acting CJ's Removal Over Misuse Allegations
Jodhpur, — The legal fraternity at the 's principal seat in Jodhpur has escalated its protest against Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, deciding to abstain from all judicial work until . The decision, taken at an emergency joint meeting of the Lawyers' Association and the Advocates' Association, stems from serious allegations raised by judge Justice Sandeep Mehta in letters to the Chief Justice of India.
Background: Letters Spark Crisis
Justice Sandeep Mehta's three letters, which recently became public, leveled grave accusations against Justice Sharma's administration. The letters reportedly highlighted
"
,
,
, and
."
These allegations, described by bar leaders as
"unprecedented in Rajasthan's judicial history,"
prompted an urgent gathering of over a hundred senior and junior advocates on Monday.
The press note issued after the meeting emphasized that the judiciary is
"not merely an institution but a symbol of the Constitution, the
, and the ultimate
of the common people."
It warned that if such "serious questions" were not resolved impartially,
in the
could be irreparably damaged.
Three-Point Charter of Demands
The lawyers' bodies consolidated their response into a three-point charter of demands addressed to the President of India, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India, and the Collegium:
-
Relief of Acting Chief Justice : The associations demand that Justice Sharma be kept away from all judicial and administrative responsibilities to allow an "impartial process" to proceed and preserve institutional confidence. The note clarifies this is not a campaign against an individual but a step to protect the judiciary's dignity.
-
Appointment of a Permanent Chief Justice : With the High Court lacking a regular chief justice for over ten months, the bar urges the immediate appointment of a permanent, full-time chief justice to bring
"stability, continuity, and effective leadership."
-
Discontinuation of the : The controversial "," which prioritizes older pending cases for disposal purely based on their pendency length, has been criticized for putting "excessive pressure" on advocates and disrupting their work-life balance. The bar demands its immediate withdrawal statewide.
and Broader Mobilization
Effective immediately, all lawyers will physically and virtually abstain from judicial work until September 6. A four-member "Struggle Committee" comprising the presidents and general secretaries of both associations has been formed to chart the future course. The bar has also resolved to write to all bar associations across Rajasthan, urging statewide participation.
The protest gained further momentum on Tuesday, when the Advocate Clerks Association, Jodhpur, announced it would join the , warning of disciplinary action against any member found participating in judicial work during the strike.
Ongoing Developments and Collegium Action
In a significant parallel development, the Collegium on recommended the appointment of Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal, a judge of the , as the Chief Justice of the . This move appears to address one of the bar's core demands. Meanwhile, Acting Chief Justice Sharma has reportedly proceeded on leave until , ahead of his scheduled retirement on .
Key Observations
In a unified voice, the associations declared:
"Our fight is not against any individual, but for the protection of
in the
. The dignity of both the Bar and the Bench can only be safeguarded when judicial institutions function according to the highest standards of
,
,
, and
."
The press note further stated that the judiciary is not merely an institution but
"a symbol of the Constitution, the
and the citizen’s ultimate faith in the justice-delivery system."
The lawyers stressed that if serious questions about a judicial institution are not addressed in a timely and impartial manner, could be adversely affected.
Implications
The places the in a state of uncertainty, with case listings and hearings set to grind to a halt until at least September 6. While the bar insists its actions are constitutional and institutional, the standoff highlights the delicate balance between judicial and accountability. The appointment of a permanent Chief Justice, once formalized, may help restore normalcy, but the deeper question of administrative within the judiciary remains a focal point of the protest.
