Punjab Objects to High Court Chief Justice Appointment

The Punjab government has formally objected to the appointment of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, urging the central government to halt the scheduled oath ceremony. The state cabinet passed a resolution on Sunday evening, September 6, 2026, asserting that the appointment was notified without awaiting the state's views, thereby bypassing constitutional norms and established procedures. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann communicated these concerns in separate letters to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting that the administration of the oath, planned for Monday, September 7, 2026, be postponed until the state's objections are addressed. The Punjab Cabinet's resolution stated that the appointment and oath ceremony should be put on hold until the state's views are obtained and duly considered. The central government, however, defended the appointment process. Additional Solicitor General of India, Satya Pal Jain, described the controversy raised by the Punjab government as "most unfortunate and totally uncalled for," asserting that the state had ample time to submit its response.