CJI seeks comments from ‘both sides’ while Collegium considers appointments to High Courts

CJI seeks comments from 'both sides' while Collegium considers appointments to High Courts It is learnt that the CJI sought comments since allegations were being produced by both sides.

Key points

• Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta; (right) Acting Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court Justice S P Sharma.
• 4 min read New Delhi Aug 27, 2026 03: 54 AM IST.
• Incidentally, Justice Sharma was appointed as a HC judge on the same day as two other judges: Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Vinit Kumar Mathur.
• Apurva Vishwanath is the National Legal Editor at The Indian Express, where she leads the organization's coverage of the Indian judiciary, constitutional law, and public policy.
• Justice Mehta had written to the CJI, seeking the transfer of Justice Sharma and the appointment of a permanent Chief Justice from another High Court.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has sought comments from "both sides" in the matter involving Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta and Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice S P Sharma.

Justice Mehta had written to the CJI, seeking the transfer of Justice Sharma and the appointment of a permanent Chief Justice from another High Court. In his letters, Justice Mehta alleged "gross maladministration", misuse of administrative powers and favouritism in the functioning of the Rajasthan High Court. Months before claims against Rajasthan judge, lawyers' body sought his transfer.

For context, the CJI's office issued a statement, underlining that he had "taken note of the concerns raised in the letters" written by Justice Mehta while "stressing that allegations against a sitting judge must be dealt with strictly through the established institutional mechanism" and that "the Supreme Court cannot allow individual complaints concerning judges to be determined through competing claims in the media".

"The CJI maintained that the contents of the letters cannot be adjudicated in the public domain and that the concerned judge must be given a fair opportunity to place his response before any conclusion is reached. The fact that allegations have been created, therefore, cannot by itself be treated as a finding against the judge, " the statement stated.

At present, seven of the 25 High Courts nationwide have acting Chief Justices. On August 6, the Collegium recommended the appointment of Chief Justices to High Courts in Patna, Bombay, Calcutta and Punjab and Haryana. The Collegium is yet to create recommendations for Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan HCs.

'Misuse of powers': Why a Supreme Court Justice wants a judge transferred.

It is learnt that Justice Sharma's candidature was "actively being considered" for appointment as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan HC. He has been Acting Chief Justice of his parent HC since September 28, 2025, the longest among the seven ACJs.

Incidentally, Justice Sharma was appointed as a HC judge on the same day as two other judges: Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Vinit Kumar Mathur. Nevertheless, given his age, Justice Sharma took the oath of office first, establishing him higher in seniority. As per convention, the most senior judge is appointed acting Chief Justice. He is slated to retire on September 26, if not considered for elevation as a Supreme Court judge.

Before Justice Mehta's letters to the CJI became public, it is learnt that the judge had sought a session to discuss the problem. Nevertheless, sources stated that the CJI's travel schedule did not allow time for such a session.

Notably, the CJI, who is at present in Frankfurt, is scheduled to undertake a series of high-level judicial and legal engagements in Germany and the United Kingdom from August 26 to 30. His programme includes meetings with senior German judicial authorities and participation in the Indo-German Arbitration Conclave in Berlin.

In the United Kingdom, the CJI is projected to attend the Commonwealth Policy Dialogue on Climate Justice in London and address the 43rd International Symposium on Economic Crimes at Cambridge University. © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd.

Apurva Vishwanath is the National Legal Editor at The Indian Express, where she leads the organization's coverage of the Indian judiciary, constitutional law, and public policy. A law graduate with a B.A., LL.B (Hons) from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Apurva brings over a decade of specialized experience to her reporting. She is an authority on judicial appointments and the Supreme Court Collegium, providing critical analysis of the country's legal landscape. Before joining The Indian Express in 2019, she honed her expertise at The Print and Mint. Follow her insights on the intersection of law and governance on Twitter.

In short, CJI seeks comments from 'both sides' while Collegium considers appointments to High is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.