The Central Government has appointed Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as the Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court following the elevation of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu to the Supreme Court of India.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Department of Justice, under Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President has appointed 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 of Punjab and Haryana until a regular Chief Justice assumes office.

The appointment comes into effect consequent upon the appointment of Justice Sheel Nagu as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India.

Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra has had a long and accomplished career at the Bar and on the Bench.

He completed his B.A. (Honours) in Economics from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, and later obtained his LL.B. from the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi.

He enrolled as an Advocate on May 8, 1993, and primarily practised in the fields of Civil, Constitutional, and Service Law. During his years at the Bar, he appeared as arguing counsel for several prominent statutory bodies and public sector entities, including:

• NOIDA

• Ghaziabad Development Authority

• Allahabad Development Authority

• Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)

• Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)

• Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL)

He also represented the State Government as senior counsel in several important matters.

Recognising his standing at the Bar, the Allahabad High Court designated him as a Senior Advocate in 2013.

Justice Mishra was appointed 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 assumed office on July 21, 2025.

With his appointment as Acting Chief Justice, Justice Mishra will now head one of the country's most significant High Courts until a permanent Chief Justice is appointed.

The development follows a series of recent appointments to the Supreme Court and High Courts aimed at strengthening the higher judiciary across the country.