Justice Ashwani Mishra Takes Charge as New Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court

Chandigarh: Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra has formally taken charge as the new Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He was administered the oath of office during a ceremony held in Chandigarh, marking the beginning of his tenure as the head of the High Court.

The oath-taking ceremony was attended by senior judicial and administrative officials, along with dignitaries from Punjab and Haryana. The event marked an important change in the leadership of the High Court, which deals with cases and legal matters concerning both states as well as the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

Justice Mishra brings extensive judicial experience to the position. Before taking charge as Chief Justice, he had served in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and had also held the responsibility of Acting Chief Justice.

His appointment had attracted political attention in Punjab, with the state government raising concerns regarding the process surrounding the appointment. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann did not attend the oath-taking ceremony, adding a political dimension to the event.

Despite the controversy surrounding the appointment process, Justice Mishra formally assumed the position and will now oversee the judicial and administrative functioning of the High Court.

As Chief Justice, he will have several important responsibilities, including supervising the functioning of the court, handling administrative matters and ensuring the effective allocation and management of judicial work.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court plays a significant role in the justice system of the region, hearing matters involving a wide range of issues, including criminal cases, civil disputes, constitutional matters and challenges involving government decisions.

Justice Mishra’s tenure comes at a time when the judiciary continues to face the challenge of managing a large volume of pending cases while ensuring timely access to justice. His administrative experience and judicial background are expected to play an important role in the functioning of the institution.

The appointment and oath-taking have therefore become a significant development for the judicial administration of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. With Justice Mishra now officially in charge, attention will remain on the priorities and administrative approach he adopts during his tenure as Chief Justice.