Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Punjab Cabinet Seeks Halt to Justice Mishra Appointment
Punjab’s government wants the appointment of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra to be paused.
It says the central authorities announced the appointment before asking for and considering Punjab’s opinion.
Punjab says this does not follow the official appointment procedure.
The state believes its constitutional role should be respected.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann also raised other disputes with the Centre.
These include changes to Bhakra Beas Management Board rules and plans involving Punjab University.
Punjab says more than ₹9,000 crore owed to its Rural Development Fund remains unpaid.
It also says a ₹1,600 crore flood-relief package has not been given out.
Punjab Cabinet urged a pause in Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra’s appointment as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The state said the appointment was notified on September 5 before Punjab’s response was received or considered.
Punjab alleged this breached Paragraph 6 of the appointment Memorandum of Procedure.
The Cabinet linked the dispute to concerns over Bhakra Beas Management Board rules, Punjab University, and unpaid state funds.
Punjab also cited over ₹9,000 crore in Rural Development Fund dues and an undistributed ₹1,600 crore flood-relief package.
- Who
- The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, raised the objection concerning Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra.
- What
- Punjab demanded that Justice Mishra’s appointment as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court be kept on hold.
- When
- The Supreme Court Collegium recommended Justice Mishra on August 6; Punjab received a response request on August 12; the appointment was notified on September 5.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Punjab and Haryana High Court and Punjab’s constitutional role in the appointment process.
- Why
- Punjab said the appointment was notified before its views were obtained and considered, allegedly violating Paragraph 6 of the relevant Memorandum of Procedure.
Punjab Cabinet’s Position
Appointment Process and Notification
State consultation
Punjab Cabinet’s Position
Punjab said its views had to be obtained and duly considered before the appointment moved forward.
Appointment Process and Notification
The appointment was notified on September 5 after the Collegium recommendation and the request for Punjab’s response; the articles do not provide a separate explanation from the Centre.
Constitutional role
Punjab Cabinet’s Position
Punjab said notifying the appointment without awaiting its response amounted to interference with the state’s constitutional role.
Appointment Process and Notification
The appointment proceeded through the judicial recommendation and executive notification process described in the articles; no opposing statement from the Centre is provided.
- Recommended candidate
- Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, then Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Recommendation date
- August 6
- Punjab’s response request
- A letter was received on August 12 from Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal
- Notification date
- September 5
- Procedure cited
- Paragraph 6 of the Memorandum of Procedure for appointing and transferring High Court Chief Justices and judges
- Rural Development Fund dues
- More than ₹9,000 crore, according to the Punjab government
- Flood-relief package
- ₹1,600 crore announced after the 2025 floods, which Punjab said had not been disbursed