Months before claims against Rajasthan judge, lawyers’ body sought his transfer

“In such circumstances, to maintain the dignity of the court, the continuity of judicial work, and a healthy environment, it has become absolutely necessary to appoint a permanent Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court as soon as possible. Considering the current administrative circumstances, the transfer of the Acting Chief Justice outside the state of Rajasthan should be considered, so that a harmonious atmosphere can be re-established between the Bar and the Bench,” Joshi wrote.

“Therefore, Rajasthan High Court Advocates Association, Jodhpur, humbly requests you to seriously consider the above facts and transfer the Acting Chief Justice of Rajasthan, Hon’ble Shri S P Sharma, to some other state outside the state of Rajasthan so that harmony can be maintained between the Bar and the Bench,” he wrote.

Justice Mehta recently wrote to the CJI requesting Justice Sharma’s transfer to another High Court and the appointment of a new Chief Justice from some other High Court.

In a series of three letters, also marked to other members of the Supreme Court Collegium earlier this month, Justice Mehta, who also hails from Rajasthan, accused Justice Sharma of “misuse of powers” and said he had received “several complaints” which “raise doubts on” Justice Sharma’s “integrity”.

He requested that Justice Sharma be “forthwith transferred out of the State looking to his unbecoming conduct” and that not doing so would be “wholly against the interest of the institution”.