Overview

• Justice Sharad Kumar Sharma of the NCLAT’s Chennai bench recused himself on August 13 after stating he was approached by a “most revered” higher judiciary member seeking a favourable order.
• He showed recent call logs or a message on his phone to lawyers in court before stepping aside, though the contents were not disclosed on record.
• The top court’s inquiry will examine whether the contact came from a High Court or Supreme Court judge, with further action to follow based on the findings.
• The underlying case involves KLSR Infratech’s appeal against an NCLT order admitting creditor AS Met Corp’s CIRP plea; judgment was reserved on June 18 but the matter is now to be reallocated to a fresh bench for rehearing.
• Court filings and reports note AS Met Corp’s claim of a Rs 2.88 crore default and KLSR’s assertions of disputes and financial health, while Justice Sharma’s prior recusals in Byju’s, Jeppiaar Cements and Shri Ramalinga Mills cases underscore ongoing integrity concerns.