Former Punjab & Haryana High Court Justice VK Jhanji Passes Away

Justice VK Jhanji, former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and former Acting Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, passed away on February 23, 2026. He was 81.

According to an announcement issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association, his cremation will take place at 4:30 pm at the Cremation Ground, Sector 25, Chandigarh.

Born in 1944, Justice Jhanji enrolled as an advocate in 1971 and practiced in civil, constitutional and taxation matters at Chandigarh. He was elevated as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1991.

On December 3, 2001, he was transferred to the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. During his tenure there, he served twice as Acting Chief Justice — first from April 9, 2002 to May 14, 2002, and again from March 5, 2003 to February 4, 2004.

Justice Jhanji was later transferred to the Himachal Pradesh High Court in October 2005. He retired from judicial service in March 2006.

Following news of his demise, the Bar Association of Punjab & Haryana High Court suspended work after lunch as a mark of respect and solidarity with the bereaved family.

Justice Jhanji 's son Amit Jhanji is a Senior Advocate in the High Court and Senior Standing Counsel for the Chandigarh Administration.