Bar associations seek Himachal HC Chief Justice’s elevation to apex court

Members of the legal fraternity have called on the Bar Councils of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh to formally back the elevation of Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia to the Supreme Court, citing his merit, administrative record, and integrity

Shimla: Members of the legal fraternity have called upon the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, the Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh, the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association and the Himachal Pradesh High Court Bar Association to formally support the elevation of Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia to the Supreme Court, describing him as a jurist whose credentials, experience and integrity make him a strong candidate for appointment to the country’s highest constitutional court.

In a statement, the lawyers urged the four institutions to collectively place their views before the Chief Justice of India, the Supreme Court Collegium, the Union Ministry of Law and Justice and other constitutional authorities.

---

The appeal contended that the case for Justice Sandhawalia’s elevation rested on “merit, proven competence, impeccable integrity and a distinguished record of service to the judicial institution”, rather than on considerations of seniority alone.

According to the statement, his judicial career has been marked by intellectual depth, a balanced judicial approach and a consistent commitment to constitutional principles.

The lawyers described him as one of the most distinguished judges produced by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, his parent institution, in recent decades.

Tracing his professional journey, the statement noted that Justice Sandhawalia enrolled as an advocate in August 1989 and developed an extensive practice across civil, criminal, constitutional, service and land acquisition matters before his elevation as an Additional Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on September 30, 2011. He was confirmed as a permanent judge on January 24, 2014.

The members of the legal fraternity also highlighted his administrative abilities, pointing to his tenure as Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court between February and July 2024.

During that period, they said, he introduced measures aimed at improving court administration, strengthening institutional discipline, streamlining judicial functioning and enhancing case management.

The statement asserted that he enjoyed the confidence of both the Bar and the Bench and was widely known for diligence, preparedness and fairness in judicial work.

It added that his courtroom functioning had consistently reflected efficiency and a commitment to the timely delivery of justice. The appeal further referred to his judicial background, noting that he belongs to a family with a long association with the higher judiciary. His father, Justice Surjit Singh Sandhawalia, served as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and subsequently as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.

The advocates also raised the issue of representation in the Supreme Court, observing that his appointment would restore Sikh representation in the apex court after a considerable gap.

While emphasising that merit must remain the overriding consideration, they argued that his elevation would simultaneously advance the objective of diversity within the higher judiciary.

Describing him as a jurist whose contribution to the administration of justice had been exemplary, the signatories maintained that his elevation would strengthen the Supreme Court and reinforce the principle that integrity, judicial excellence, constitutional commitment and institutional leadership should remain central to appointments to the apex court.