Justice Dharmesh Sharma, who convicted BJP ex-MLA Kuldeep Sengar in the Unnao rape case, retires from Delhi High Court. He remarked the court’s “entire complexion is changing” with new judges joining.
New Delhi: Today, On May 30, Justice Dharmesh Sharma of the Delhi High Court, while speaking at his farewell function organised by the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA), described the ongoing changes in the court as a positive development.
He is set to retire officially on June 8, during the summer vacation of the court. Justice Sharma, who has had a long and impactful career in the judiciary,
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remarked,
“The entire complexion of the HC is changing” due to “so many outsiders coming”.
These comments come shortly after the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, recommended on May 26 the transfer of three judges to the Delhi High Court.
These judges include Justice Nitin Sambre from the Bombay High Court, Justice Vivek Chaudhary from the Allahabad High Court, and Justice V Kameswar Rao, who is returning to the Delhi High Court from the Karnataka High Court.
Also, Delhi High Court’s present Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya was transferred from the Bombay High Court and took charge in January.
Justice Dharmesh Sharma made headlines in 2019 when, as a special court judge dealing with cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, he convicted former BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar for the rape of a minor girl in Unnao in 2017.
The verdict was considered an important moment in India’s legal system concerning crimes against minors.
At the farewell event, Justice Sharma also made a humorous comparison between the changing dynamics of the Delhi High Court and a sports league.
He said,
“A lot many things are happening, if I’m allowed to say. The entire complexion of the (Delhi) HC is also changing and…sometimes now this high court is looking like an IPL franchise because so many outsider players are coming and (will) come in future. I think it’s a good thing…”
He expressed emotional feelings about his retirement and indicated his plans to return to the legal field soon.
he said,
“I don’t know how to end my note because it is a little emotional for me… I’m thankful… The justice delivery system needs some overhauling, some changes, yes. You may please bring about some objectivity to whatever is happening around… We can do more about it,”
During the farewell reference, Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya appreciated Justice Sharma’s work and contributions.
He said,
“He was deeply involved in the institutionalising of legal aid framework, infrastructure development and streaming of various legal awareness programmes across the Capital…He is known to be a judge of great practical wisdom and he always remained oriented to grant relief to litigants in the court.”
Justice Sharma has been known for his strong legal stance in various matters. In September 2024, he rejected a petition filed by the Shahi Idgah (Waqf) managing committee.
The petition opposed the installation of a Rani of Jhansi statue at Shahi Idgah Park in Sadar Bazar.
Justice Sharma did not find merit in the objection and did not stop the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) or Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) from proceeding with the installation.
Justice Sharma completed his law degree in 1987 and began practising in Delhi trial courts, focusing mainly on civil cases.
He was appointed as the additional standing counsel for the central government before entering the Delhi Judicial Services in 1992. He was later promoted to the Delhi Higher Judicial Services in August 2003.
Between 2017 and 2019, he served as the principal judge of the family court and then as the principal district judge of New Delhi.
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In May 2023, he was elevated to the position of judge at the Delhi High Court. He also contributed to legal services organisations.
He served as secretary of the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee during 2007-08 and as member secretary of the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) from 2014 to 2017.
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