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

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The Centre on Monday appointed Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as the Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, filling the vacancy created after Chief Justice Sheel Nagu was elevated to the Supreme Court of India. The appointment ensures continuity in the functioning of one of the country’s busiest constitutional courts while the process for appointing a permanent Chief Justice moves forward.

The decision was announced through a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice. Acting under Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President authorized Justice Mishra to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice following Justice Nagu’s elevation to the apex court.

The development marks another significant milestone in Justice Mishra’s long legal and judicial career, which spans more than three decades. Known within legal circles for his command over constitutional, civil and service law matters, Justice Mishra brings extensive experience to the role at a time when the Punjab and Haryana High Court continues to deal with a wide range of complex legal issues involving governance, public administration, environmental concerns and constitutional rights.

Justice Mishra joined the Punjab and Haryana High Court in July 2025 after being transferred from the Allahabad High Court, where he had spent more than a decade on the Bench. Since arriving in Chandigarh, he has been part of several important judicial proceedings and has delivered orders that drew attention for their strong observations on issues ranging from illegal mining to administrative accountability.

His appointment comes in the immediate aftermath of Justice Sheel Nagu’s elevation to the Supreme Court, a move that has been welcomed across sections of the legal fraternity. With Justice Nagu moving to the country’s highest court, a constitutional requirement arose to ensure that the administrative and judicial responsibilities of the High Court continue uninterrupted. The Constitution provides for such situations through Article 223, which allows a senior judge to perform the duties of the Chief Justice when the office falls vacant.

Born on November 16, 1968, Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra’s academic journey began at Delhi University. He graduated with a degree in Economics from Kirori Mal College before pursuing law at the prestigious Campus Law Centre. After enrolling as an advocate in May 1993, he steadily built a reputation as a lawyer handling civil, constitutional and service-related litigation.

Over the years, he represented a number of major public bodies and institutions, including development authorities, public sector undertakings and government agencies. Lawyers who worked alongside him during his years at the Bar often describe him as meticulous in preparation and deeply grounded in legal principles. His growing stature within the legal community led to his designation as a Senior Advocate in 2013, a recognition reserved for lawyers with distinguished professional standing.

A year later, he was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court. His elevation to the Bench marked the beginning of a judicial career that would see him hear and decide a wide variety of cases involving constitutional interpretation, public law disputes, criminal appeals and service matters. He became a permanent judge of the Allahabad High Court in 2016 and continued serving there until his transfer to the Punjab and Haryana High Court last year.

Among the notable cases associated with Justice Mishra’s judicial career is the Nithari serial killings matter, one of the most widely discussed criminal cases in recent Indian legal history. The judgment delivered by the Bench in that case attracted national attention and reflected the complexity of issues that came before the court.

Legal observers believe his appointment as Acting Chief Justice is likely to provide stability during a period of transition. The Punjab and Haryana High Court, which has jurisdiction over Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, handles thousands of cases every year and plays a crucial role in shaping legal and administrative governance across the region.

Members of the legal fraternity in Chandigarh view Justice Mishra as a judge with substantial experience in both adjudication and court administration. His tenure as Acting Chief Justice is expected to focus on maintaining judicial efficiency, reducing pendency and ensuring smooth functioning of the court until a regular Chief Justice is appointed.

The appointment also reflects the judiciary’s established practice of ensuring that leadership positions within High Courts do not remain vacant following elevations, transfers or retirements. With Justice Mishra now entrusted with the responsibilities of the office, attention will remain on how the court navigates its extensive docket and addresses key legal challenges in the months ahead.

For now, the Punjab and Haryana High Court enters a new phase under the stewardship of a judge whose legal journey—from a young advocate in Delhi courts to the Acting Chief Justice of a major High Court—has been marked by steady progression, significant judicial contributions and a reputation for handling complex legal questions with clarity and precision.