In a significant move to address the judicial vacancy at one of the country’s largest High Courts, the Supreme Court Collegium, led by the Chief Justice of India, has approved the proposal for the appointment of ten advocates as Judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The decision was taken during the Collegium’s meeting held on May 4, 2026. The recommendations encompass a diverse group of legal practitioners from the region.
The Recommendations
As per the official statements released by the Supreme Court of India, the Collegium has approved the elevation of the following advocates:
- Shri Pravindra Singh Chauhan
- Shri Rajesh Gaur
- Shri Minderjeet Yadav
- Ms. Monica Chhibber Sharma
- Shri Harmeet Singh Deol
- Ms. Puja Chopra
- Shri Sunish Bindlish
- Shri Navdeep Singh
- Ms. Divya Sharma
- Shri Ravinder Malik
The Punjab and Haryana High Court, which serves as the common High Court for the states of Punjab and Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, has been functioning with a significant number of vacancies against its sanctioned strength.
The Collegium’s recommendation is the primary step in the judicial appointment process. Following this approval, the names will be forwarded to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice. After necessary background checks and processing by the government, the file will be sent to the President of India for the formal issuance of the warrants of appointment.
The inclusion of three women advocates—Ms. Monica Chhibber Sharma, Ms. Puja Chopra, and Ms. Divya Sharma—in the recommendation list highlights the ongoing efforts to improve gender representation within the higher judiciary.
The appointment of these ten advocates is expected to significantly augment the judicial capacity of the High Court, aiding in the speedier disposal of pending litigations.
