Lawyers at the Rajasthan High Court’s Jodhpur and Jaipur benches have launched protests against Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, with police reportedly being called in at the Jaipur bench amid escalating demonstrations.

Visuals from the protest showed advocates raising slogans against Justice Sharma, including, “Gali gali mein shor hai, humara mukhiya chor hai” 

The protests come days after Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta wrote to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, levelling allegations of administrative irregularities against Justice Sharma.

Justice Mehta had accused the Acting Chief Justice of allegedly manipulating case listings and misusing his administrative authority. In his communication to the CJI, he also sought the appointment of a Chief Justice from another State to head the Rajasthan High Court “with immediate effect”.

Responding to the allegations, CJI Surya Kant had said in a press statement that the Supreme Court Collegium was examining the matter. He also made it clear that Justice Sharma would be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations before any final conclusion was reached.

Meanwhile, the bar associations in Jodhpur are expected to hold a meeting at noon to decide their next course of action. According to sources, protesting advocates are likely to convert the meeting into a general house and push for a decision on an indefinite strike against the Acting Chief Justice.