Justice Sanjay Agrawal’s Appointment Changes Rajasthan HC Landscape
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has made a significant move in the Rajasthan High Court leadership row, recommending a new Chief Justice just hours after Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma opted to stay away from judicial work.
The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, recommended Justice Sanjay K Agrawal of the Chhattisgarh High Court for appointment as the next Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.
The decision comes amid a controversy surrounding Justice Sharma’s functioning as the Acting Chief Justice, including concerns raised over administrative powers and case listing procedures. The sudden leadership change has drawn attention across legal circles as it comes after allegations raised by Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta, who had written to the Chief Justice of India seeking action and the appointment of a regular Chief Justice from outside Rajasthan.
The development marks a major turning point for the Rajasthan High Court, where the issue surrounding the Acting Chief Justice had triggered discussions within the judiciary and protests among sections of the legal community. Justice Sharma faced scrutiny after Justice Sandeep Mehta raised concerns over the exercise of administrative authority, including the allocation and listing of cases. The matter gained wider attention after the contents of the letters became public.
Following the developments, lawyers at the Rajasthan High Court benches in Jaipur and Jodhpur raised objections, with some advocates demanding a change in the court’s leadership. The Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation of a new Chief Justice has now shifted the focus towards the next phase of the Rajasthan High Court’s administration.
Justice Sanjay K Agrawal, the Supreme Court Collegium’s choice for Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice, is currently serving as a judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court. He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court in September 2013 and became a permanent judge in March 2016.
Before entering the judiciary, Justice Agrawal served as the Advocate General of Chhattisgarh, gaining experience in constitutional matters, government litigation and legal affairs. The Collegium has recommended his transfer to the Rajasthan High Court immediately so that he can become the senior-most judge there before formally taking charge as Chief Justice.
The Supreme Court has maintained that allegations against sitting judges must be examined through established institutional mechanisms rather than public debate.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has indicated that such matters require a fair process where all concerned parties are given an opportunity to present their position. The judiciary has emphasised that maintaining public confidence in judicial institutions remains a priority while handling internal concerns involving judges.
The controversy intensified after lawyers at the Rajasthan High Court expressed dissatisfaction over the continuation of Justice Sharma as Acting Chief Justice. Advocates at the Jaipur bench staged protests, while the Jodhpur-based lawyers’ association announced a strike demanding that Justice Sharma should not be appointed as permanent Chief Justice. The protests brought renewed focus on judicial administration, transparency and the functioning of constitutional courts.
Along with the Rajasthan High Court appointment, the Supreme Court Collegium also recommended changes in leadership for other High Courts. Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati of the Rajasthan High Court was recommended as the Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court.
Justice Alpesh Yeshwant Kogje of the Gujarat High Court was recommended as the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra of the Orissa High Court was recommended as the Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court. The appointments will take effect after completion of the constitutional process by the government.
