A group of lawyers in Jodhpur has initiated a strike and protests against the acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, following serious allegations of power misuse. This protest comes in light of a letter from Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta to the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, which raised concerns about Justice Sharma's integrity.
Background of the Protest
On Monday, both the Rajasthan High Court Lawyers’ Association and the Rajasthan High Court Advocates’ Association announced a strike that will last until Sunday. They are demanding the removal of Justice Sharma from his judicial and administrative roles, the appointment of a permanent Chief Justice, and the discontinuation of a targeted filing system that they claim is disrupting their work-life balance.
Justice Mehta's letters, dated August 2, August 10, and August 17, accused Justice Sharma of misusing his powers and mentioned receiving several complaints that raised doubts about his integrity. He has called for Justice Sharma's transfer to another High Court and the appointment of a new Chief Justice.
Key Demands
During a meeting on Monday, the lawyers outlined their three main demands:
- Removal of Acting Chief Justice: They requested that Justice Sharma be relieved of his duties to maintain impartiality and institutional trust.
- Appointment of a Permanent Chief Justice: The lawyers emphasized the need for stability and effective leadership in the Rajasthan High Court.
- Discontinuation of Targeted Filing System: They expressed serious concerns about the impact of this system on their professional lives, stating it places undue pressure on judicial functioning and affects their work-life balance.
