Former Punjab and Haryana High Court Justice VK Jhanji passes away

Justice VK Jhanji, a former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, passed away on Monday.

Justice Jhanji was born in 1944 and enrolled as an advocate in 1971. He practiced on civil, constitutional and taxation matters in Chandigarh before his elevation as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1991.

He was transferred to Jammu and Kashmir High Court on December 3, 2001, and remained its Acting Chief Justice from April 9, 2002, to May 14 , 2002, and from March 5, 2003, to February 04, 2004.

He was transferred to the Himachal Pradesh High Court in October 2005. He retired in March 2006.

In an announcement, the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association (HCBA) said,

"With profound grief and sorrow, it is informed that Hon'ble Mr. Justice V.K. Jhanji, former Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court, Himachal Pradesh High Court and Jammu & Kasmir and Ladakh High Court has left for his heavenly abode on today i.e. 23.02.2026.

Cremation will take place today i.e. 23.02.2026 (Monday) at 04.30 pm at Cremation Ground, Sector 25, Chandigarh."

Following Justice Jhanji's death, the Bar Association also decided to suspend the judicial work this afternoon.

"In order to pay homage and express solidarity with the bereaved family, the Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Association, Chandigarh, in an emergent meeting, has unanimously resolved to suspend the work of the Bar after lunch today i.e. 23.02.2026 as a mark of respect," HCBA Secretary Gagandeep Jammu said.

Justice Jhanji's son, Amit Jhanji, Senior Advocate, is Senior Standing Counsel for the Chandigarh Administration.