Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu Passes Away: Punjab & Haryana High Court Loses A Compassionate And Fearless Voice
The legal fraternity mourns the untimely demise of Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu, a sitting Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, who passed away on June 28, 2026. His sudden departure marks a profound loss to the institution he served with unwavering dedication, integrity, and empathy.
Justice Sindhu was regarded as a judge of exceptional strength and sensitivity. Known for his balanced approach, he combined firmness in upholding the rule of law with deep compassion for the human dimensions of justice. His judgments reflected clarity of thought, fairness, and a steadfast commitment to constitutional values.
At the time of his passing, he was the third senior-most judge of the High Court and was due to retire in April 2029.
Justice Sindhu authored several significant rulings that underscored his commitment to protecting individual liberties and ensuring accountability of authorities.
In a notable case, he directed the Enforcement Directorate to take remedial measures and sensitise its officers to adhere to a "reasonable time limit" for interrogations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Criticising prolonged interrogation, he observed that questioning lasting up to 15 hours "is not heroic... rather it is against the dignity of a human being."
In another matter, he imposed exemplary costs of ₹10 lakh on the Haryana Public Service Commission for "disrespecting a soldier" by denying a rightful claim for reservation under the "Dependent of Ex-serviceman (disability beyond 50%)" category in recruitment to the post of Sub-Inspector advertised in 2021.
In Balwant Singh v. Directorate of Enforcement, Justice Sindhu cautioned judicial officers posted in Special PMLA Courts against acting as an "extended arm" of the Enforcement Directorate by routinely granting remand. Setting aside a Special Court's order granting custody, he deprecated the practice of passing "routine" remand orders.
In the Ashok Kumar Sharma case, he declared the arrest of an accused in a drugs case illegal, noting that no reasons were recorded for the search and that the grounds of arrest were not furnished in compliance with statutory requirements. He emphasised that failure to supply grounds of arrest violated mandatory provisions of law and constitutional safeguards under Article 22, rendering the arrest unsustainable.
Justice Sindhu also imposed exemplary costs of ₹3 lakh on the Haryana Staff Selection Commission for unjustly denying appointment to a woman candidate for the post of Constable, observing that she had been dragged into avoidable litigation for six years.
In another case, he pulled up authorities for rejecting parole of a convict under the NDPS Act merely on assumptions that he might smuggle drugs during elections. While refraining from imposing costs upon assurance by the State, he emphasised that parole decisions must be based strictly on material on record and in accordance with law.
He further imposed costs of ₹1 lakh on the Punjab PWD Secretary for illegally depriving an employee of promotion. In a separate matter, he took stern action against a District Judge for adopting a "pick-and-choose" policy in denying benefits to a clerk, remarking that such arbitrary conduct was wholly unreasonable and liable to be invalidated.
Justice Sindhu quashed two FIRs against former Punjab Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu and others in a corruption case relating to alleged foodgrain tender and transportation irregularities. He observed that the criminal proceedings appeared to have been initiated merely to harass the accused, amounting to a misuse of power by the Vigilance Bureau.
Earlier, in 2018, he had denied bail to a supporter of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who was accused of rioting and causing widespread unrest following the latter's conviction. Observing that such individuals had "no respect for the Court of law," he held that no leniency was warranted.
Justice Sindhu, born on April 4, 1967, hailed from a modest agricultural background. A first-generation lawyer, his journey to the High Court bench stood as a testament to his perseverance and commitment to the legal profession.
He obtained his LL.B degree in 1992 from Panjab University, Chandigarh, and was enrolled as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana. Over the years, he built a diverse legal practice before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, dealing with matters pertaining to civil, criminal, constitutional, and service laws. He also represented various institutions, municipal bodies, and government boards and corporations.
In recognition of his legal acumen, Justice Sindhu was appointed as Additional Central Government Standing Counsel in 1999. He later served as Additional Advocate General for the State of Punjab from September 2008.
Justice Sindhu was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 10, 2017, and was confirmed as a permanent Judge on December 3, 2018.
Apart from his judicial and professional commitments, Justice Sindhu also contributed to public service through his association with various committees, including the State Executive Committee for Persons with Disabilities, Union Territory, Chandigarh.
He is survived by his family, colleagues, and a legacy of service to the judiciary. Justice Sindhu's legacy will endure through his principled judgments and his unwavering commitment to justice. His passing leaves a void that will be deeply felt by the Bench, the Bar, and all those who had the privilege of appearing before him.