Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra has officially assumed charge as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, despite strong opposition and a formal resolution from the Punjab State Government.

  • Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra sworn in as Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court on September 7, 2026.
  • Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann boycotted the ceremony following the state government's opposition to the appointment.
  • The appointment was notified by the Centre after a recommendation from the Supreme Court Collegium.

In a ceremony marked by both judicial tradition and political tension, Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra was officially sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Chandigarh on Monday. The oath of office was administered by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria at the Lok Bhawan, marking the end of Justice Mishra's tenure as the acting chief justice, a role he had held since June.

The event saw the presence of several high-ranking dignitaries, including Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, and Haryana Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan. Other notable attendees included Akali MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia and Punjab Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha. However, the conspicuous absence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann highlighted a deep rift between the state executive and the judicial appointment process.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this appointment is not merely a routine judicial transition but a flashpoint for the ongoing friction between the Punjab state government and the Central government's judicial machinery. The decision of the Punjab Cabinet to pass a resolution against the appointment just hours before the ceremony suggests a significant breakdown in communication and trust regarding judicial independence and state preferences.

The boycott of a Chief Justice's swearing-in ceremony by a sitting Chief Minister is a rare and serious signal of executive discontent with the Collegium system.

The timeline of the appointment reveals a rapid progression from the Supreme Court Collegium's recommendation to the Central government's notification on September 5, 2026. The Punjab government's last-minute attempt to halt the process via a Cabinet resolution on September 6 failed to stop the proceedings, underscoring the constitutional primacy of the Center and the Collegium in high court appointments.

Historical Background

The Punjab and Haryana High Court serves as a critical judicial pillar for two major states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Historically, the appointment of Chief Justices has occasionally been a point of contention when state governments feel their inputs are ignored by the Collegium. This incident adds to a growing trend of state governments challenging the opacity of the judicial appointment process in India.

Did You Know?: The Punjab and Haryana High Court is one of the few high courts in India that has jurisdiction over two different states and a Union Territory simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why did CM Bhagwant Mann skip the ceremony?
The Punjab government had formally opposed Justice Mishra's appointment and passed a resolution asking the Centre to address their concerns before the oath-taking.

Q2: Who recommended Justice Mishra for the role?
His elevation was recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium and subsequently notified by the Central Government.