'3-4 Senior Advocates In P&H HC Creating Havoc' : Supreme Court Asks HC Judges Not To Recuse From Ex-Judicial Officer's Plea

The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed concern over repeated recusals by judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in a case concerning a former judicial officer's challenge to his dismissal from service, with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant remarking that "three or four so-called senior advocates" in the State were "creating havoc."

The Court requested the Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to constitute a Division Bench of two judges to hear the matter and specifically advised the judges not to recuse from the case, "irrespective of the situations that may be created by anyone."

During the hearing, the CJI expressed concern over what he described as attempts by certain members of the Bar to influence proceedings through repeated recusals.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant advised the petitioner to argue the matter himself, without engaging any senior lawyers.

"I know there are four or five senior advocates who are involved in this kind of thing. I am closely watching the thing. The three or four so-called senior advocates are creating havoc. Better you argue yourself," the CJI told the petitioner.

The Bench comprising the Chief Justice of India and Justice V Mohana was hearing a transfer petition filed by the petitioner, a former judicial officer, after several High Courts benches recused from hearing his plea against dismissal from service.

The petitioner, appearing in person, said that four benches have recused.

"I would like to know who are the judges. So then I am going to make an inquiry that what kind of activities you are indulging in," the CJI observed.

The petitioner said that first Justice Lisa Gill recused; after that, the then Chief Justice recused after reserving the matter; the recusals of Justice Ashwini Kumar Mishra and Justice Dipak Sibal followed. He said that he had moved applications to release his pension and GPF, which have not been considered.

The Court then indicated that it would ensure that the case is heard by the High Court. "I will ask the Chief Justice to constitute a bench. The moment you try to play any mischief, serious consequences will be there. We will monitor the matter from here," the CJI said.

The petitioner stated that he was prepared to argue the matter himself if a time limit was fixed for the hearing.

Declining to transfer the matter to another High Court, the bench passed the following order :

"The Hon'ble Acting Chief Justice is requested to constitute a division bench of two judges to hear.... The learned judges are advised not to recuse in the matter, irrespective of the situations that may be created by anyone. The matter shall be heard on a day to day basis. The matter must be heard in the week commencing 13 July 2026. After it is heard and judgement is reserved, the Registrar General of the High Court is to send a compliance report to this court.."

Case : AMRISH KUMAR JAIN Vs THE STATE OF PUNJAB | T.P.(C) No. 1641/2026