Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Punjab HC Chief Justice Appointment Sparks Centre-State Dispute
Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra became the new chief justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The Punjab government objected because it said the Centre acted before hearing the state’s opinion.
Satya Pal Jain, a lawyer representing the central government, said Punjab had enough time to respond but did not.
He said the normal rules for appointing judges were followed.
Former law minister Ashwani Kumar said states can share their views, but they cannot stop the Centre from making an appointment.
He also warned that waiting too long for a state’s response can create problems for judges’ seniority.
The High Court Bar Association said the Punjab Cabinet should not interfere in judicial appointments.
The Shiromani Akali Dal similarly said such objections could weaken the independence of the courts.
Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra was sworn in as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on September 7.
The Punjab Cabinet objected that the Centre notified his appointment without awaiting the state’s views and bypassed established procedures.
Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain said Punjab had sufficient time to respond and that the appointment process was fully followed.
Former Union law minister Ashwani Kumar said state governments’ views deserve consideration but are not binding on the Centre or President Droupadi Murmu.
The High Court Bar Association and Shiromani Akali Dal criticized the Punjab government’s objections as potential executive overreach that could harm judicial independence.
- Who
- Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, the Punjab government, Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain, former Union law minister Ashwani Kumar, the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association, and the Shiromani Akali Dal.
- What
- A dispute over Justice Mishra’s appointment as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, followed by his swearing-in.
- When
- The Supreme Court collegium recommended the appointment on August 6; Punjab and Haryana were asked for their views on August 10; the oath was administered on September 7.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Punjab, Haryana, and the Punjab and Haryana High Court; the oath was administered at Lok Bhavan in Chandigarh.
- Why
- Punjab said its views were not awaited and constitutional procedures were bypassed, while central-government representatives said the process was followed and state views were not binding.
Punjab Government’s Objection
Central Government And Supporters Of Appointment
Whether Punjab’s views were properly considered
Punjab Government’s Objection
The Punjab Cabinet said the Centre notified the appointment without awaiting the state government’s views and alleged that constitutional norms and established procedures were bypassed.
Central Government And Supporters Of Appointment
Satya Pal Jain said Punjab had sufficient time to submit its views but did not do so, and that the prescribed Memorandum of Procedure was followed.
Whether states can block the appointment
Punjab Government’s Objection
Punjab objected to the Centre proceeding before its concerns were addressed.
Central Government And Supporters Of Appointment
Jain said state governments do not have veto power, while former law minister Ashwani Kumar said their views are entitled to weight but are not binding on the Centre or the President.
Effect on judicial independence and institutions
Punjab Government’s Objection
The Punjab government’s resolution treated the appointment process as requiring the state’s concerns to be addressed before the oath.
Central Government And Supporters Of Appointment
The High Court Bar Association and Shiromani Akali Dal said executive intervention could undermine judicial independence, public confidence, and separation of powers. Ashwani Kumar said the controversy harmed inter-institutional and Centre-State relations.
- Appointee
- Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra
- New office
- Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Appointment authority
- President Droupadi Murmu
- Collegium recommendation
- The Supreme Court collegium recommended the appointment on August 6.
- State consultation
- Punjab and Haryana were informed and asked for their views on August 10.
- Responses cited by Jain
- Haryana supported the proposal on August 12 and 13; Jain said Punjab had not sent its views by September 6.
- Swearing-in
- Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria administered the oath at Lok Bhavan on September 7.