Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra sworn in as Chief Justice of Punjab, Haryana HC
Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra has been sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court despite opposition from the Punjab state government. The appointment follows a recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium.
Why it matters
This highlights a constitutional friction between state executive power and the judicial appointment process in India.
Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra was sworn-in as the C hief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Chandigarh on Monday (September 7, 2026).
Justice Mishra has been functioning as the acting chief justice of the high court here since June.
He was administered oath by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria at the Lok Bhawan in Chandigarh.
The oath-taking ceremony was attended by Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Haryana Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, Akali MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia and Punjab Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, whose government had opposed Justice Mishra's appointment, was not present at the oath-taking ceremony.
The Centre notified Justice Mishra's appointment on Saturday (September 5, 2026), about a month after the Supreme Court Collegium had recommended his elevation.
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