In his first comments since allegations against him became public, Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, the Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, who went on leave earlier this week, called the claims against him baseless.
On Monday, the Collegium recommended Chhattisgarh High Court Judge Sanjay K Agarwal as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan HC, replacing Justice Sharma.
““In the context of the recent developments in the media and social media, I want to make it clear that I deny all these allegations. All the allegations are baseless and have been made by the Honourable Judge out of animosity (ranjish),” Justice Sharma said in a statement in Hindi.
“I have submitted my position to the Honourable Supreme Court Justice, Mr Surya Kant. I have refuted, with evidence, the baseless, false, and fact-less allegations made by Honourable Sandeep Mehta in his letters,” Justice Sharma added.
Earlier this month, letters by Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant became public. In his letters sent to the CJI — on August 2, August 10, and August 17 — Justice Mehta accused Justice Sharma of “misuse of powers” and stated that he had received “several complaints” which “raise doubts” on the Acting CJ’s “integrity.” Based on this, Justice Mehta sought the transfer of the acting CJ to another High Court and the appointment of a new Chief Justice.
