The Supreme Court Collegium must now review at least four names put forward by Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, sparking a legal debate over the legitimacy of such recommendations.

  • Acting CJ Justice Sharma has forwarded four High Court judge candidates.
  • Collegium split: merit‑based review vs. normalising long‑term acting tenures.
  • Past precedents show varied Collegium responses to similar situations.

New Delhi – The Supreme Court Collegium is set to consider a minimum of four names submitted by Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, who has been in the acting role since September 2025. The development has reignited a long‑standing question about whether acting chief justices can recommend judicial appointments.

Historical Background

Traditionally, acting chief justices do not make recommendations because their tenure is brief. Yet, there are notable exceptions. In 2020, Acting CJ Justice Dharmadhikari of the Bombay High Court prepared a list of 22 names; in 2022, Rajasthan HC Acting CJ Justice Akil Kureshi sent 12 names. The Collegium’s reactions varied, highlighting the lack of a clear rule.

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Current Controversy

Within the Collegium, one view holds that names sent by an acting CJ should be judged on merit, not dismissed solely because of the temporary title. Another perspective warns that accepting such names could normalise prolonged acting tenures, reducing urgency to appoint a permanent chief justice.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this decision could set a precedent affecting the entire Indian judicial appointment system, potentially redefining the role of acting chief justices across all high courts.

"Judicial appointments must prioritise transparency and merit, irrespective of the sender’s title," noted senior jurist Prof. Ajay Singh.
Did You Know?: Only two acting chief justices in India’s history have ever submitted judge names to the Collegium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Will acting chief justices always be allowed to send names?

A: Not automatically; each case is decided by the Collegium based on prevailing norms.

Q2: How might this affect the central government's role in appointments?

A: If the names are accepted on merit, the government is less likely to return them, streamlining the appointment process.