Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra assumed charge as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday morning, being sworn in by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria despite formal objections from the Punjab state government.
The swearing-in highlighted a sharp jurisdictional division between the two states served by the high court. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann was absent from the proceedings, whereas Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Haryana Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh were both in attendance.
Cabinet Resolution and Objections
The ceremony went ahead following a Sunday emergency cabinet session convened by the Punjab government, which culminated in a formal resolution opposing the elevation. Urging the Governor to hold the oath ceremony in abeyance until the state provided its consent, the cabinet stated that the Central government should not have issued the appointment notification without first receiving and evaluating Punjab’s assessment of Justice Mishra’s suitability.
In an official release, the state government voiced strong exception to the Centre’s decision to proceed without its input, maintaining that both the appointment and the administration of the oath should remain paused until the state’s views were officially submitted and considered.
Appointment Timeline and Judicial Background
The Supreme Court Collegium initially recommended Justice Mishra for the chief justice post on August 6. The Central government cleared the recommendation and formally notified the appointment on September 5, prompting Punjab’s emergency cabinet meeting the following day.
Justice Mishra had already been performing the duties of Acting Chief Justice since June. First appointed as a judge of the Allahabad High Court in February 2014, he has been posted at the Punjab and Haryana High Court since July 2025.
