P&H High Court Senior Advocates' Association Honours Justices Sanjeev Prakash Sharma & Anil Kshetarpal On Proposed Transfer

The Punjab & Haryana High Court Senior Advocates Association on Thursday (May 29) felicitated Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Anil Kshetarpal on their recent proposed transfers recommeded by the Supreme Court collegium. 

Justices Sharma and Kshetarpal were recently recommended for transfer by the Supreme Court Collegium. Justice Sharma has recommended to be transferred to his parent High Court–Rajasthan High Court, while Justice Kshetarpal has been recommended to be transferred to the Delhi High Court.

Justice Sharma, being a former President of the Chandigarh Judicial Academy, urged senior advocates to contribute to the academic side and emphasized the importance of imparting practical knowledge to trainee judicial officers.

"The judicial officers who are selected often lack knowledge of court proceedings—such as how cases are to be taken up and other practical aspects. If they are not trained properly, the entire justice system of the state would go backwards," he said.

Responding to Justice Sharma, the President of the Association, Senior Advocate Shailendra Jain, assured that the names of senior advocates would be sent for inclusion on the panel to deliver lectures at the academy.

Justice Sanjeev Prakash addressing the Senior Advocate said, "at first I had apprehension to sit in criminal roster because I was expecting that I could not understand the Trial Court proceedings which would be in Punjabi language but I was then encouraged by the Chief Justice as the cases here are also from Haryana...I was initially give Crime Against Women roster and then had an opportunity to decide in several rosters including Tax, I had an opportunity to decide over 7,500 cases in tax."

Justice Kshetarpal expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Senior Advocates for their unwavering support and guidance throughout his journey. Reflecting on his early days, he remarked, “I was a seed planted by Justice V.K. Bali, and over the years, I have grown under his mentorship.”

The welcome address was delivered by Senior Advocate Shailendra Jain and Senior Advocate Gurminder Singh gave speech in honour of Justice Sharma and Senior Advocate Atul Lakhanpal delivered the speech honouring Justice Kshetarpal. The event was also attended by Senior Advocate and former Director of Chandigarh Judicial Academy Dr Balram Gupta.

Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, originally from Jaipur, Rajasthan, began his legal practice in June 1987 at the Rajasthan High Court. He initially trained under Advocate Jagdeep Dhankhar, the current Vice President of India, and later worked with former Justice G.S. Singhvi, who was elevated to the Bench in 1990.

From 1990 onward, Justice Sharma established an independent practice. Over the years, he served as panel counsel for several institutions, including universities, medical colleges, the Rajasthan Waqf Board, and also acted as special counsel for the Public Works Department (PWD).

Justice Sharma gained extensive experience in criminal law, service matters, and a wide array of miscellaneous cases. He appeared in numerous public interest litigations (PILs) and pro bono matters before the Supreme Court and various High Courts.

He was designated as a Senior Advocate in 2011 and on November 16, 2016, he was elevated as a Judge of the Rajasthan High Court. He was subsequently transferred to the Patna High Court, and later to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on 8 May 2023, where he has adjudicated over 10,000 cases.

Justice Kshetarpal, who hails from Kurukshetra, comes from a legal family, with his father, Shri S.P. Kshetarpal, also being a practicing advocate. After completing his LL.B. in 1987, he enrolled with the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana and began his legal practice in Kurukshetra.

In 1988, he shifted his practice to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, joining the chamber of Hon'ble Mr. Justice V.K. Bali (Retd. Chief Justice). By 1991, he commenced independent practice, focusing on civil and constitutional law. His legal acumen earned him the designation of Senior Advocate in 2014.

Justice Kshetarpal was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 10, 2017.