Sanjay Kumar Agrawal sworn in as Chief Justice of Rajasthan HC

Newly appointed Sanjay Kumar Agrawal was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court during an oath-taking ceremony at the Lok Bhawan in Jaipur on Monday. Photo Credit: X/@CMORajasthan via ANI

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 the Lok Bhavan here on Monday (September 7, 2026). Governor Haribhau Bagade took the oath in the presence of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, his cabinet colleagues, judges and administrative officials.

The Union Government announced the elevation of Justice Agrawal to the post of Chief Justice and appointment in Rajasthan on the recommendation of a 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 to join the judicial work at the Supreme Court headquarters. His appointment is considered significant for streamlining the judicial system in the state and ensuring speedy disposal of pending cases.

Justice Agrawal’s appointment in Rajasthan comes amid a controversy surrounding Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, who has served as the acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court since September 2025. The Supreme Court judge, Justice Sandeep Mehta, recently wrote a series of letters to the Chief Justice of India complaining about Justice Sharma’s conduct and demanding his transfer.

In his letters, Justice Mehta cited “abuse of power, favouritism, nepotism and administrative lapse” by Justice Sharma. The matter also sparked protests by lawyers in Jodhpur as well as the Jaipur High Court bench. The protesting lawyers demanded that Justice Sharma be stripped of his commission and that a permanent Chief Justice be appointed in the state.

Justice Sharma, who is due to retire on September 26, dismissed the allegations leveled against him as baseless and urged all concerned to “remain patient” until the CJI takes a decision. In a statement issued last week, Justice Sharma said he had submitted his version with supporting evidence to the CJI.

Published – 8 Sep 2026 03:33 IST