The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, a little two months after he assumed charge as the Acting Chief Justice. The recommendation was made by the Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant at its meeting on August 6.A judge of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Mishra was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where he took oath on July 21, 2025. He assumed charge as Acting Chief Justice on June 1, following the elevation of Justice Sheel Nagu, the then Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, to the Supreme Court.His brief tenure as Acting Chief Justice has been marked by a focus on judicial infrastructure, access to justice and environmental issues. Two major projects — the Tower of Justice, a new court complex at Gurugram, and a multi-level parking facility at the District Courts Complex in Sector 43, Chandigarh — were inaugurated in quick succession after he took charge.Justice Mishra has also constituted a committee to identify measures for strengthening infrastructure, particularly court buildings, as part of efforts to modernise the justice delivery system and improve public access to courts.His tenure has also been marked by a series of environmental and rehabilitation initiatives. CJI Kant launched a region-wide tree plantation drive covering Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, with Justice Mishra present at the launch. The monsoon-long drive envisages the plantation of lakhs of indigenous saplings across court complexes and other judicial institutions. A youth recovery and rehabilitation campaign, aimed at helping vulnerable young people overcome substance dependence and rebuild their lives, has also been launched.As a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Mishra’s Bench has dealt with matters relating to illegal mining, ecological protection, judicial administration, service law and constitutional issues.He has also given renewed emphasis to public interest litigation, with the Bench led by him seeking responses from the state at the initial stage in appropriate matters and fixing cases for early hearing where warranted. His Bench has also heard several sensitive cases concerning alleged illegal mining in the Aravalli region.The High Court also recorded a significant disposal performance last month, with 18,574 cases being disposed of against 18,373 fresh filings during the period. The disposals exceeded fresh institution by 201 cases, while overall pendency remained stable over the preceding six months.Law degree form DUBorn on November 16, 1968, Justice Mishra graduated with a BA (Honours) in Economics from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, and obtained his LLB from the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi.