SC Collegium recommends 5 advocates for appointment as Judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the names of the following Advocates for appointment as Judges of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana:
| (i) | Shri Harmeet Singh Grewal, |
| (ii) | Shri Deepinder Singh Nalwa, |
| (iii) | Shri Sumeet Goel, |
| (iv) | Smt Sudeepti Sharma, and |
| (v) | Ms Kirti Singh. |
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.
In order to ascertain the suitability of the above Advocates for elevation to the High Court, we have consulted our colleagues conversant with the affairs of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana.
For the purpose of assessing the merit and suitability of the above candidates for elevation to the High Court, we have scrutinized and evaluated the material placed on record. We have also perused the observations made by the Department of Justice in the file as well as the complaints received against the candidates.
(i) Mr. Harmeet Singh Grewal
Two of the three consultee-Judges have unanimously given a positive opinion on the suitability of the candidate for appointment as a Judge of the High Court. The other consultee-Judge has not offered any opinion. There is nothing adverse against integrity of the candidate. Bearing in mind all the relevant facts and circumstances, the Collegium is of the considered view that the candidate is fit and suitable for appointment as a Judge of the High Court.
(ii) Mr. Deepinder Singh Nalwa
All the three consultee-Judges have unanimously given positive opinion on the suitability of the candidate for appointment as a Judge of the High Court. The inputs provided by the Department of Justice in the file indicate that his financial integrity is not considered above board. These inputs are vague and the Government in this regard has fairly stated that there is nothing on record to substantiate these adverse inputs. The candidate has extensive practice which is reflected in a substantial number of reported judgments delivered in the cases in which he appeared / argued. Bearing in mind all the relevant facts and circumstances, the Collegium is of the considered view that the candidate is fit and suitable for appointment as a judge of the High Court.
(iii) Mr. Sumeet Goel
Two of the three consultee-Judges have unanimously given a positive opinion on suitability of the candidate for appointment as a Judge of the High Court. The other consultee-Judge has not offered any opinion. The inputs provided by the Department of Justice in the file indicate that the candidate enjoys a good personal and professional image and that nothing adverse as to his integrity has come to notice. The candidate has extensive practice which is reflected in his professional income and the substantially large number of reported judgments delivered in the cases in which he appeared / argued. Bearing in mind all the relevant facts and circumstances, the Collegium is of the considered view that the candidate is fit and suitable for appointment as a judge of the High Court.
(iv) Ms. Sudeepti Sharma
We have considered the opinion of our consultee-colleagues. The inputs provided by the Department of Justice in the file indicate that the candidate enjoys a good personal image and that nothing adverse as to her integrity has come to notice. Bearing in mind all the relevant facts and circumstances, the Collegium is of the considered view that the candidate is fit and suitable for appointment as a Judge of the High Court.
(v) Ms. Kirti Singh
We have considered the opinion of our consultee-colleagues. The inputs provided by the Department of Justice in the file indicate that the candidate enjoys a good personal and professional image and that nothing adverse as to her integrity has come to notice. Bearing in mind all the relevant facts and circumstances, the Collegium is of the considered view that the candidate is fit and suitable for appointment as a Judge of the High Court.
In view of the above, the Collegium resolves to recommend that S/Shri (i) Harmeet Singh Grewal, (ii) Deepinder Singh Nalwa, (iii) Sumeet Goel, (iv) Ms Sudeepti Sharma, and (v) Ms Kirti Singh, Advocates, be appointed as Judges of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana. Their inter se seniority be fixed as per the existing practice.
