New Delhi: The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal, currently a judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court, for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court. The recommendation comes amid an escalating controversy surrounding Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma.
The Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, made the recommendation at its meeting on August 31, 2026. Justice Agrawal is expected to take over as the regular Chief Justice after the government completes the constitutional appointment process.
Appointment Comes Amid Controversy
The move assumes significance following allegations raised by Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta against Justice Sharma.
Justice Mehta reportedly wrote three letters to CJI Surya Kant on August 2, 10 and 17, seeking the appointment of a permanent Chief Justice from outside Rajasthan and raising concerns over the functioning of the Acting Chief Justice.
The allegations include claims of misuse of administrative powers, selective case allocation, favouritism and nepotism. Justice Mehta described some of the alleged conduct as raising serious concerns about the integrity of judicial administration. These remain allegations and have not been established as findings of wrongdoing.
Lawyers Protest in Rajasthan
The controversy has also triggered protests among lawyers at the Jaipur and Jodhpur benches of the Rajasthan High Court.
Lawyers have demanded that Justice Sharma be removed from the position of Acting Chief Justice and that a regular Chief Justice be appointed from another High Court.
Justice Sharma subsequently opted out of judicial work until September 5. The Rajasthan High Court’s roster was modified to distribute matters assigned to his bench among other benches during the period.
Who Is Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal?
Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal is currently serving on the Chhattisgarh High Court. He was appointed an Additional Judge of the court in September 2013 and became a permanent judge in March 2016. Before his elevation to the bench, he had also served as Advocate General of Chhattisgarh.
The Collegium has recommended his transfer to the Rajasthan High Court and appointment as its Chief Justice. The recommendation would also enable him to join the Rajasthan High Court as its senior-most judge pending his elevation as Chief Justice.
Other High Court Appointments Recommended
The August 31 Collegium meeting also recommended appointments for other High Courts.
Justice Alpesh Yeshwant Kogje of the Gujarat High Court has been recommended as Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, while Rajasthan High Court judge Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati has been recommended as Chief Justice of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court.
Separately, the Collegium had recommended Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra of the Orissa High Court as Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court, following the impending retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice.
Government Approval Now Awaited
The Collegium’s recommendations are not the final appointments. They will take effect after the Union government completes the required constitutional process and formally notifies the appointments.
Justice Agrawal’s proposed elevation comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Rajasthan High Court. The appointment of a permanent Chief Justice is expected to bring greater institutional stability as the court deals with the controversy surrounding its recent administration.
The developments will now be closely watched as the government processes the Collegium’s recommendation and the Rajasthan High Court prepares for a change in leadership.
