Justice GS Sandhawalia as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Centre has officially notified the appointment of Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia as the new Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Justice Sandhawalia, the senior-most puisne Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, has been appointed following a recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium. His appointment comes after a delay of more than three months and after the retirement of Justice Rajiv Shakdher in October 2024.

Key Points

Appointment Notification

• Justice GS Sandhawalia has been appointed as the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court, effective from the date he assumes office.

Legal Background

• Justice Sandhawalia graduated in BA (Hons) from DAV College, Chandigarh, and obtained a law degree from Panjab University, Chandigarh.
• He was enrolled as an advocate in August 1989 and practised at the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Judicial Career

• He was appointed as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on September 30, 2011, and became a permanent judge on January 24, 2014.
• Supreme Court Collegium’s Recommendation: The Collegium recommended Justice Sandhawalia’s appointment to the Himachal Pradesh High Court after superseding an earlier recommendation for Madhya Pradesh.

Father’s Legacy

• His father, Justice Surjit Singh Sandhawalia, was the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Patna High Court.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Justice GS Sandhawalia as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court
Appointment Position	Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court
Notification Date	Notified on a 23rd December, following a delay of more than three months
Previous Position	Senior-most Puisne Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court
Legal Background	Graduated in BA (Hons) from DAV College and a law degree from Panjab University, Chandigarh
Judicial Career	Elevated to the bench on September 30, 2011, and became a permanent judge on January 24, 2014
Supreme Court Collegium’s Recommendation	Initially recommended for Madhya Pradesh High Court, but later shifted to Himachal Pradesh High Court