The Centre on Monday appointed Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice of the High Court. This follows Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu’s elevation to the Supreme Court.Issuing a notification, the Union Ministry of Law and Justice said the appointment was made by the President under Article 223 of the Constitution.“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, Judge of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana consequent upon appointment of Shri Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India,” the notification read.Justice Sheel Nagu’s elevation to the Supreme Court had created the consequential vacancy at the helm of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, necessitating the appointment of an Acting Chief Justice under the constitutional scheme.Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra: ProfileJustice Mishra, transferred from the Allahabad High Court, joined the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 21, 2025.Born on November 16, 1968, Justice Mishra graduated in B.A. (Honours) 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 practiced on the civil, constitutional and service law side.During his years at the Bar, he appeared as arguing counsel for several statutory and public bodies, including NOIDA, Ghaziabad Development Authority, Allahabad Development Authority, IFFCO, Indian Oil Corporation and Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation. He also represented the State government as senior counsel in important matters.Justice Mishra was designated Senior Advocate in 2013. He took oath as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court on February 3, 2014, and became a permanent Judge on February 1, 2016. He served at the Allahabad High Court until July 20, 2025, before his transfer to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.Among the notable matters, Justice Mishra’s Bench delivered judgment in the 2005-2006 Nithari serial killings case.As a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Mishra’s Bench came out with stern orders against illegal mining and landmark judgements in service and constitutional matters.