In a significant judicial appointment, advocates Harmeet Singh Grewal and Deepinder Singh Nalwa were sworn in as Additional Judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday, February 17. This ceremony marks a pivotal step in their distinguished legal careers.
The appointments were made following an official notification from the Union Law Ministry on February 12, which stated that the President of India, after consultations with the Chief Justice of India, approved their elevation under the provisions of the Constitution of India.
These appointments come after the Supreme Court collegium’s recommendation in October 2023, which included a list of five advocates deemed suitable for these positions. The list included Sumeet Goel, Sudeepti Sharma, and Kirti Singh, alongside Grewal and Nalwa. While the other advocates were appointed in November 2023, the confirmation of Grewal and Nalwa took place this year.
The collegium’s resolution in November 2024 highlighted the rigorous selection process. It noted that on April 21, 2023, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, alongside his two senior-most colleagues, recommended the elevation of these advocates. This recommendation received concurrence from the Chief Ministers and the Governors of Punjab and Haryana.
For Harmeet Singh Grewal, two of the three consultee-judges provided a unanimous positive opinion regarding his suitability for the High Court. Similarly, all three consultee-judges agreed on Deepinder Singh Nalwa’s aptitude for the role, acknowledging his extensive legal practice and the substantial number of reported judgments in cases where he has appeared or argued.
With these appointments, the total number of judges in the Punjab and Haryana High Court will increase to 53, moving closer to the sanctioned strength of 85. This development is expected to enhance the judicial capacity of the court, allowing it to address its backlog and improve the delivery of justice.
