Advocates Harmeet Grewal, Deepinder Nalwa Sworn In As Additional Judges Of Punjab & Haryana High Court

Advocates Harmeet Singh Grewal and Deepinder Singh Nalwa were sworn in as Additional Judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday (February 17).

On February 12, an official notification issued by the Union Law Ministry stated that in exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India, the President, after consultation with Chief Justice of India, is pleased to appoint them as Additional Judges.

In October 2023, the Supreme Court collegium had recommended the names of five advocates for appointment as additional Judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The names of the five advocates were Harmeet Singh Grewal, Deepinder Singh Nalwa, Sumeet Goel, Sudeepti Sharma and Kirti Singh.

All the above advocates were appointed as Additional Judges in November 2023, except advocates Harmeet Singh Grewal and Deepinder Singh Nalwa.

In its resolution passed in November, 2024 the Collegium stated, "On 21 April 2023, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues recommended the elevation of the above Advocates as Judges of that High Court. The Chief Ministers and the Governors for the States of Punjab and Haryana have concurred with the recommendation." For Harmeet Singh Grewal, the Collegium said that two of the three consultee-judges have unanimously given a positive opinion on his suitability as a Judge of the High Court.

All the three consultee-judges have unanimously given positive opinion on the suitability of Deepinder Singh Nalwa as a Judge, the collegium said. It added that Nalwa has extensive practice which is reflected in a substantial number of reported judgments delivered in the cases in which he appeared or argued.

The number of judges with their appointment will go up to 53 against the sanctioned strength of 85.