Who is Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, the New Acting Chief Justice of Rajasthan HC?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma appointed as Acting Chief Justice.
- Oath-taking on September 27, coinciding with his birthday.
- Strong background in diverse legal fields.
- Current caseload at 672,519 matters.
- Serves as Executive Chairman of Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority.
Jaipur, Sep 26 (NationPress) The Union Law Ministry has officially appointed Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma as the Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court on Friday.
His role will commence on September 27, coinciding with the retirement of Chief Justice K.R. Shriram.
Notably, September 27 also celebrates Justice Sharma's birthday.
He will take his oath in his hometown of Jaipur on this significant day.
Justice Sharma was born on September 27, 1964, in Jaipur and earned his LLB degree from the University of Rajasthan in 1987.
He began his legal career in the Rajasthan High Court on May 30, 1987.
Over the years, he has gained a commendable reputation as an advocate, specializing in various fields, including Constitutional law, service matters, commercial disputes, labor and criminal law, and arbitration.
Justice Sharma was elevated to the bench as a judge of the Rajasthan High Court on November 16, 2016, through the lawyers' quota.
His judicial career has seen him serve across multiple High Courts.
In January 2022, he was transferred to the Patna High Court and later served in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2023.
On July 14, 2025, he returned to the Rajasthan High Court, where he currently holds the position of senior-most judge.
Currently, Justice Sharma is also the Executive Chairman of the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority, actively working to enhance legal aid and access to justice for marginalized communities.
His term as Acting Chief Justice will last until his retirement on September 26, 2026.
At present, there are 42 judges serving in the Rajasthan High Court, against a sanctioned strength of 50.
Following the retirement of Chief Justice K.R. Shriram, a farewell ceremony was held for him on September 25.
As of September 26, 2025, the High Court is grappling with a pending caseload of 672,519 matters, underscoring the significant challenges awaiting Justice Sharma upon his appointment.
This appointment arrives at a pivotal moment, with high hopes that Justice Sharma's vast experience and leadership will effectively steer the Rajasthan judiciary in tackling its escalating backlog of cases.