Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government has opposed the appointment of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as the new Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, alleging that the state government’s views and consent were not sought as part of the process.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema raised the issue at a press conference in Jalandhar, saying the concerned state government’s views and consent should be taken before such an appointment.
Following the controversy, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann convened an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday. The cabinet unanimously passed a resolution opposing the appointment and urged that Justice Mishra should not be sworn in until the Punjab government’s consent is obtained.
The state government has also appealed to the President, Prime Minister and Punjab Governor to consider its position.
After the meeting, Mann said the cabinet resolution was against what he described as Centre’s interference in Punjab’s rights and violation of constitutional procedures. He alleged that the appointment of the new Chief Justice without consulting Punjab amounted to a breach of the established constitutional process.
Mann also cited the withholding of Punjab’s ₹9,000-crore Rural Development Fund (RDF) and flood-relief package, changes to Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) rules and the alleged interference in judicial appointments as issues the state would not accept.
The chief minister demanded that the appointment be reconsidered and that Punjab’s views be respected under the constitutional process.
Meanwhile, the swearing-in date for Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra has been announced. He is scheduled to take oath as Chief Justice on September 7 at 9.30 am at Punjab Lok Bhawan in Chandigarh.
