Two days after being replaced with Justice Sanjay K Agrawal as a full-time Chief Justice, acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court Sanjeev Prakash Sharma broke his silence on Wednesday, refuting allegations of malpractices leveled against him. He termed it a “frivolous” smear campaign, allegedly timed to influence the Supreme Court collegium’s recommendation of a full-time appointee.
He refuted all allegations against him as ‘false and concocted,’ saying it was done only to deny him the opportunity to be the Chief Justice (of Raj HC) or elevation to any other position.
Justice Sharma has been the subject of scrutiny ever since apex court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta wrote a series of letters to CJI Surya Kant seeking replacement of Justice Sharma, alleging misuse of powers and corruption at the Rajasthan High Court under him.
Justice Sharma also accused a section of lawyers of the Jaipur Bar Association of orchestrating a separate campaign last week to malign him when SC collegium was to consider his potential elevation.
He alleged that the strike by two bar associations in Jodhpur was also “at the behest of somebody intending to spoil my image.”
Justice Sharma said that he has submitted his position to the CJI refuting, with evidence, the baseless allegations made by Justice Mehta in his letters to the CJI. Justice Sharma said his official response to Justice Mehta’s allegations included documentary evidence.
Justice Sharma highlighted initiatives taken during his tenure as acting CJ such as an international conference on cybercrime through which Rajasthan “emerged as a whistleblower.”
He also referred to a strike by subordinate court employees when he assumed charge as acting Chief Justice, claiming it was called off within two days of his intervention.
Justice Sharma added that he would frame a detailed public response “at the appropriate time.”
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