The Central Government has notified the appointment of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice of the High Court following the elevation of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu to the Supreme Court of India.

The notification, issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice on June 1, 2026, states that the President of India, in exercise of powers under Article 223 of the Constitution, has authorised Justice Mishra to discharge the functions of the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court with effect from the vacancy arising upon Justice Nagu’s appointment to the apex court.

Article 223 of the Constitution empowers the President to appoint a judge of a High Court to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice when that office is vacant or when the Chief Justice is unable to discharge the functions of the office.

About Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra

Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra graduated with a B.A. (Hons.) in Economics from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, and obtained his LL.B. from Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi. He was enrolled as an Advocate on May 8, 1993, and primarily practised on the civil, constitutional and service law side. During his time at the Bar, he represented several statutory authorities and public sector undertakings, including NOIDA, the Ghaziabad Development Authority, the Allahabad Development Authority, IFFCO, IOC and U.P. Power Corporation, besides appearing as Senior Counsel for the State Government in significant matters. He was designated as a Senior Advocate in 2013, elevated as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court on February 3, 2014, and became a Permanent Judge on February 1, 2016. In July 2025, he was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where he presently serves.