Sanjay Kumar Agrawal sworn in as Rajasthan HC Chief Justice

Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal, transferred from Chhattisgarh, was sworn in as the 44th Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan here on Monday (September 7, 2026). Governor Haribhau Bagade administered the oath of office in the presence of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, his Cabinet colleagues, judges and administrative officials.

The Union government notified Justice Agrawal’s elevation as the Chief Justice and appointment in Rajasthan following a recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium. He was first appointed as an additional judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court in September 2013 and became a permanent judge in March 2016.

Justice Agrawal left for Jodhpur immediately after the swearing-in ceremony for joining the judicial work at the High Court’s principal seat. His appointment is considered significant for streamlining the judicial system in the State and ensuring speedy disposal of the pending cases.

Justice Agrawal’s appointment in Rajasthan comes amid a controversy surrounding Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, who had been serving as the High Court’s Acting Chief Justice since September 2025. A Supreme Court judge, Justice Sandeep Mehta, recently wrote a series of letters to the Chief Justice of India making complaints about Justice Sharma’s conduct and seeking his transfer.

Justice Mehta alleged “misuse of powers, favouritism, nepotism, and administrative lapses” by Justice Sharma in his letters. The issue also triggered protests by lawyers in Jodhpur as well as at the High Court’s Bench in Jaipur.

The protesting lawyers demanded that Justice Sharma be divested of his charge and a permanent Chief Justice be appointed in the State. Justice Sharma, who is due to retire on September 26, has rejected the allegations levelled against him as baseless and called upon all concerned to “remain patient” until the CJI takes a decision.

In a statement released last week, Justice Sharma said he had placed his version with the supporting evidence before the CJI.