Justice Sandeep Mehta Urges CJI Surya Kant To Replace Rajasthan HC Acting CJ SP Sharma For 'Questionable... - Live Law

**Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta Calls for Removal of Rajasthan HC Acting Chief Justice** *New Delhi, 26 August 2026* – In a letter addressed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Sandeep Mehta has formally requested the removal of Acting Chief Justice S P Sharma of the Rajasthan High Court. The request, first reported by *Live Law* and corroborated by *Bar and Bench*, alleges that Justice Sharma has “misused the powers of his office” and that his continued tenure threatens the integrity of the judiciary. Justice Mehta cites “gross maladministration” and “serious doubts on integrity” as grounds for the proposed replacement.

The controversy centers on a series of procedural orders issued by Justice Sharma in recent months that, according to the petition, appear to favor a private corporate consortium in a land‑acquisition case and to sideline a pending public‑interest litigation concerning water‑resource allocation. In his correspondence, Justice Mehta references specific instances where procedural safeguards were allegedly bypassed, and he claims that these actions have already attracted criticism from the Bar Association of Rajasthan and the *Hindustan Times*. *Deccan Herald* notes that the Supreme Court has not yet issued a formal response, but the letter has intensified calls for an internal review of the High Court’s administrative practices.

The CJI’s office has so far declined to comment publicly on the matter, citing standard protocol. However, legal analysts quoted by *theweek.in* suggest that the request could set a precedent for greater oversight of High Court administrations, especially when allegations of partiality arise. Should the Supreme Court decide to act on Justice Mehta’s petition, it would likely appoint a new Acting Chief Justice pending a full inquiry, a move that could restore confidence among litigants and reinforce the principle of judicial independence.