The Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Association has strongly condemned the reported stand of the Punjab Government questioning and opposing the appointment of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court. The Association has called an emergent meeting of its Executive Committee, under President Rohit Sud, to deliberate on the issue and concerns relating to judicial independence and institutional dignity.

Also Read Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra Appointed Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Bar Association expressed concern over the reported convening of an emergency Punjab Cabinet meeting to deliberate on the appointment, terming it a potential instance of Executive overreach and warning that any impression of political or Executive pressure on the judiciary could erode public confidence in the justice system. It maintained that the constitutional process governing appointment of a High Court Chief Justice cannot be converted into a political controversy or an Executive confrontation with the judiciary.

The Association urged the Punjab Government to respect the constitutional process, separation of powers and judicial independence, and called upon the legal fraternity to remain vigilant in defending the judiciary’s independence and dignity. It said the High Court must remain free to discharge its constitutional functions “without political or Executive interference from any quarter whatsoever.”