Amid 'corruption, nepotism' row, Centre names Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal as Rajasthan HC chief justice | India News - hindustantimes.com

**Rajasthan High Court Gets New Chief Justice Amid Controversy**

The Union Ministry of Law and Justice announced on Thursday that Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal, a senior puisne judge of the Rajasthan High Court, has been appointed as the court’s new chief justice, effective from 15 September. The decision comes at a time when the judiciary is under intense public scrutiny following a series of allegations of “corruption and nepotism” surrounding recent high‑court appointments. Critics, including several members of the bar and civil‑society groups, argue that the collegium system – which recommends judges for elevation – lacks transparency and has allowed personal connections to influence selections. The Centre, however, maintains that the appointment follows the established consultative process, with Justice Agrawal’s seniority, experience of over two decades on the bench, and a clean disciplinary record cited as the primary criteria.

Justice Agrawal’s elevation marks the latest in a flurry of chief‑justice postings across the country. In the past month, the government cleared the appointment of Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi as chief justice of the Bombay High Court and announced eight additional chief‑justice appointments in other high courts, reflecting a broader push to ensure that all high courts now have full‑time heads, as mandated by recent reforms. While the administration emphasizes that these moves are intended to streamline judicial administration and reduce case backlogs, opposition parties and legal commentators warn that the rapid pace of appointments may sideline thorough vetting, potentially deepening the perception of favoritism.

The controversy has reignited calls for reforms to the collegium system, with some legislators advocating for a more transparent, merit‑based selection mechanism overseen by an independent judicial appointments commission. The Supreme Court, which has previously highlighted the need for internal checks to safeguard judicial integrity, has not yet intervened in the Rajasthan appointment. As Justice Agrawal prepares to assume charge, the legal community will be watching closely to see whether his tenure can restore confidence in a system that many view as increasingly opaque.