Advocates at the Rajasthan High Court's Jodhpur and Jaipur benches are on strike against Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, with police called in to disperse lawyers in Jaipur.

Visuals show protesting advocates raising slogans against Justice Sharma, including "Gali gali mein shor hai, humara mukhiya chor hai" (There is an uproar in every street, our Chief is a thief).

The protest follows the recent letters by Justice Sandeep Mehta of the Supreme Court to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant accusing Justice Sharma of manipulating case listings and misusing his administrative powers. Justice Mehta had asked the CJI to appoint a Chief Justice from another State to head the Rajasthan High Court "with immediate effect".

CJI Surya Kant had subsequently said in a press statement that the Collegium was examining the allegations and that Justice Sharma would be given an opportunity to respond before any conclusion was reached.

According to sources, bar associations at Jodhpur are scheduled to meet at noon to decide on their course of action against the Acting Chief Justice. Protesting advocates are planning to turn the meeting into a general house and press for a decision on an indefinite strike.