Punjab govt opposes High Court chief justice appointment, seeks Centre intervention

The Punjab government has raised formal objections to the appointment of Ashwani Kumar Mishra as chief justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, according to an official statement released following a cabinet meeting. The state cabinet passed a resolution calling for a postponement of both the appointment notification and the administration of oath until the Punjab government's concerns are addressed and considered by the Centre. The cabinet's decision reflects the state's desire to be consulted on the judicial appointment before the formal ceremony proceeds. The move signals a departure from the usual protocol in high court chief justice appointments, where the Centre typically follows established procedures without seeking state-level clearance. The reasons cited by the Punjab government for its objection remain unclear from the official statement, though such concerns typically relate to administrative or governance matters affecting the state's judiciary. The Centre has not yet responded to the state's request to defer the oath ceremony.