Collegium recommends Justice AK Mittal as next Chief Justice of Meghalaya HC [Read Resolution]

Justice AK Mittal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has been recommended for appointment as the next Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court.

A Supreme Court Collegium resolution passed to this effect on Monday states:

“Mr. Justice A.K. Mittal is the senior-most Judge from Punjab and Haryana High Court and is functioning in that High Court since his elevation. Having regard to all relevant factors, the Collegium finds Mr. Justice A.K. Mittal suitable in all respects for being appointed as Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court. The Collegium resolves to recommend accordingly.”

Justice Mittal obtained his law degree from Delhi University in 1980. After enrolling as an advocate that same year, he practiced in the areas of Constitutional law, service law, company law and tax law. He was elevated as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in January 2004. Between May and June 2018, he also served as the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court. 

The Collegium made the recommendation in view of the fact that the present Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, Mohammad Yaqoob Mir, is due to retire from office in May this year.

While making the recommendation, the Collegium has also noted that if Justice Mittal’s proposed appointment as the next Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court is cleared, “there will be two Chief Justices from the Punjab & Haryana High Court, which serves two States and is the third largest High Court in the country, with sanctioned strength of 85 Judges.“

Read the Collegium Resolution dated April 8, 2019: