Punjab govt. objects to appointment of Ashwani Kumar Mishra as HC chief justice, asks Centre to stop oath ceremony
The Punjab government has formally objected to the Centre's appointment of Ashwani Kumar Mishra as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, citing a lack of consultation. Despite the state's request to halt the oath ceremony, the Centre maintains that the appointment followed proper judicial procedures.
Why it matters
This conflict underscores the ongoing friction between state governments and the central government regarding judicial appointments and the limits of federal authority in India.
The Punjab Cabinet on Sunday (September 6, 2026) evening passed a resolution against the Centre notifying the appointment of Ashwani Kumar Mishra as the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, claiming it was done without awaiting the State government's views bypassing Constitutional norms and set procedures.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also wrote separate letters to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Centre not to move forward with the administration of oath to Justice Mishra, which is scheduled for Monday (September 7, 2026), "till the state government's concerns are adequately addressed".
However, Additional Solicitor General of India, Satya Pal Jain, said the controversy raised by the Punjab Government over the appointment is "most unfortunate and totally uncalled for", and asserted that the State had sufficient time to send its views.
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