SC Collegium Recommends Appointment of 5 Advocates as Judges of Punjab and Haryana HC

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended five advocates for appointment as judges in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. These advocates are Harmeet Singh Grewal, Deepinder Singh Nalwa, Sumeet Goyal, Sudeepti Sharma, and Kirti Singh.

In its resolution, the collegium stated, “On April 21, 2023, the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues, recommended the elevation of the above-mentioned advocates as judges of that High Court. The Chief Ministers and Governors of the states of Punjab and Haryana have concurred with this recommendation.”

The Punjab and Haryana High Court serves as the common high court for the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana and the union territory of Chandigarh, situated in Chandigarh, India.

Currently, the sanctioned strength of judges in this High Court is 85, which includes 64 permanent judges and 21 additional judges, including the Chief Justice. There are approximately 4.5 lakh cases pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranking it fifth in the country in terms of pending cases.

Regarding Harmeet Singh Grewal, the collegium noted that two of the three consultant judges unanimously expressed a positive opinion on his suitability as a high court judge.

The High Court of Punjab and Haryana has been functioning in its present form since November 1, 1966. It comprises 40 spacious and well-furnished courtrooms, three Bar rooms, a Judges’ library, a dispensary, and a canteen. The sanctioned strength of the High Court includes 38 permanent judges and 30 additional Judges.