BREAKING| CJI Surya Kant Responds To Justice Sandeep Mehta's Complaints Against Rajasthan HC Acting CJ, Says Issue Being Examined
LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK
26 Aug 2026 9:28 PM IST
The CJI added that the allegations cannot be determined through claims in media and can be addressed only through the institutional mechanism.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has responded to the media reports regarding the letters sent to him by Supreme Court Judge Justice Sandeep Mehta, raising serious complaints about the Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma.
The CJI said that he has already taken note of the concerns raised by Justice Mehta. However, the CJI stressed that allegations against a sitting judge must be dealt with strictly through the established institutional mechanism.
The CJI maintained that the contents of the letter cannot be adjudicated in the public domain, and that no conclusion can be reached without giving an opportunity of hearing to Justice Sharma. The allegations of Justice Mehta, which have come in the public domain through media reports, cannot by itself be treated as a finding against Justice Sharma.
The issue, the CJI said, is being examined at the "appropriate level". Any decision regarding the continuation, transfer or any other administrative action concerning the acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court will be taken by the competent authority only after considering the materials placed by Justice Mehta as well as the response of Justice Sharma.
The CJI also emphasised that "the Supreme Court cannot allow individual complaints concerning judges to be determined through competing claims in the media."
The CJI also stated that the Collegium was working towards appointing regular Chief Justices in High Courts. Justice SP Sharma, who has been functioning as the Acting CJ of the Rajasthan High Court, is due to retire on September 26.
Justice Mehta - whose parent High Court is Rajasthan- had addressed a series of letters, dated August 2, August 10 and August 17, 2026, seeking to replace Justice Sharma as the Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court by appointing a regular Chief Justice at his place.
Justice Mehta, based on inputs received from other judges of the High Court, as well as other sources, stated that there was “gross maladministration” and “seriously questionable activities” by Justice Sharma. Justice Meha's letters came out in public today through media reports.
