The Centre has notified the appointment of advocate Harnaresh Singh Gill as an Additional Judge to the Punjab and Haryana High Court for a two year term.
The notification issued to this effect states,
“In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 224 of the Constitution of India. the President is pleased to appoint Shri Harnaresh Singh Gill. to be an Additional Judge of the Punjab and HaryanaII igh Court. for a period of two years with effect from the date he assumes chargeof hi: office.”
The Supreme Court Collegium had made the recommendation to elevate Harnaresh Singh Gill as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in April last year. Gill’s name was recommended for elevation along with six others before the Centre objected to his elevation.
However, in August this year, the Collegium stood firm in its decision and reiterated the proposal to elevate Gill as a High Court judge, particularly in view of the fact that the Centre had not furnished any reason to reject the proposal. As noted in the Collegium’s August resolution,
“…No reason has been given why his appointment was withheld. Even now, no adverse material has been placed in the file.
We have perused the note recorded in the file. We consider it appropriate to mention that the High Court Collegium had found the seven names, including that of Shri Harnaresh Singh Gill, suitable for elevation after assessing their performance, legal acumen and arguing skill on the basis of interaction during court hearings from time to time.”
With Justice Gill’s appointment, the working strength of the Punjab and Haryana High Court rises to 55 judges, as against the sanctioned strength of 85 judges.
Read the Notification: