Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra Takes Charge as Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Amid Row

Punjab had urged the President and the Prime Minister to stall the swearing-in of the Chief Justice. In an unprecedented confrontation between the executive and the judiciary, the Punjab Cabinet on Sunday unanimously passed a resolution opposing the appointment of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra.

Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra taking oath as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court (Img: X)

Chandigarh: Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday. Justice Mishra had been serving as the acting Chief Justice of the High Court since June.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Skips Ceremony

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, whose government had opposed Justice Mishra's appointment, was absent from the oath-taking ceremony. The Centre notified his appointment on Saturday, nearly a month after the Supreme Court collegium recommended his elevation.

Punjab Cabinet Raised Objections Over Appointment

The Punjab Cabinet, during a meeting on Sunday evening, passed a resolution urging the Centre not to proceed with Justice Mishra's swearing-in until the state government's concerns were addressed.

Governor Administers Oath at Lok Bhawan

Despite the objections raised by the state government, Justice Mishra was administered the oath of office by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria at Lok Bhawan.

The ceremony was attended by Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan and other dignitaries.