Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma has decided to opt himself out of hearing cases amid mounting protests by lawyers demanding his removal from the administrative post and the appointment of a permanent Chief Justice.

Under the new roster finalised by Justice Sharma, no bench has been constituted with him as a member, and he has not been assigned any regular judicial sittings from September 1 to September 5.

The revised roster also transfers cases that were earlier listed before the Acting Chief Justice to other benches of the High Court.

The development comes amid an escalating standoff between the Rajasthan Bar and Justice Sharma. Lawyers have been demanding that Justice Sharma be divested of his charge as Acting Chief Justice and that a permanent Chief Justice from another State be appointed to head the Rajasthan High Court.

Earlier on Monday, the Rajasthan High Court Lawyers Association announced a complete strike till September 6 following an emergency General House meeting. The association also resolved to send representations to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and the President of India.

The protests have been held at both the Jaipur and Jodhpur benches of the Rajasthan High Court. At the Jaipur premises, police were reportedly called in to disperse protesting advocates. Visuals from the demonstrations showed lawyers raising slogans against Justice Sharma.

Allegations by Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta

The protests intensified following allegations made by Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta against Justice Sharma.

Justice Mehta had written to CJI Surya Kant alleging manipulation of case listings and misuse of administrative powers by the Acting Chief Justice. He had also sought the immediate appointment of a Chief Justice from another State to head the Rajasthan High Court.

The allegations are currently under consideration by the Supreme Court Collegium.

CJI Surya Kant has reportedly indicated that the Collegium is examining the allegations and that Justice Sharma would be given an opportunity to respond before any final conclusion is reached.

The controversy has now resulted in Justice Sharma stepping away from judicial sittings for the September 1–5 period, while the lawyers’ agitation continues.

The developments mark an unusual institutional situation involving allegations against the Acting Chief Justice, protests by members of the Bar, and the intervention of a sitting Supreme Court judge.