Punjab & Haryana High Court has no Chief Justice from tomorrow?

In an unwelcome turn of events, the post of Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court will fall vacant from tomorrow, with the retirement of Justice SJ Vazfidar..Today was the last day in office for Justice Vazfidar..The Collegium had recommended Justice Krishna Murari on April 19 for appointment as Chief Justice of the High Court. Despite the same, the Centre is yet to issue any notification to that effect..Further, no notification has been issued regarding appointment of an Acting Chief Justice..This has led to chaos in the Registry, with the Registrar Judicial writing a letter to the outgoing Chief justice, seeking directions on listing of matters which are to be heard by Division Bench – I, which is headed by the Chief Justice..The letter states that no communication has been received regarding appointment of Chief Justice or Acting Chief Justice with effect from tomorrow. Hence, the Registrar judicial solicited orders from Justice Vazfidar for listing of the cases before Division Bench – I..Justice Vazfidar, however, turned down the request stating that he does not want to arrange the roster for the period after his retirement..He also directed the Registrar to seek directions from the seniormost judge..Justice AK Mittal, the seniormost judge, is therefore expected to handle the duties of the Chief Justice in the absence of a Chief Justice or an Acting Chief Justice..This is not the only controversy concerning Punjab & Haryana High Court with respect to judicial appointments..The Collegium had recently recommended the name of Additional Judge, Justice Ramendra Jain for appointment as Permanent Judge..However, the Centre had sent back the recommendation. The Collegium had then reiterated the same but the Centre had disregarded it and extended the tenure of Jain J. as an additional judge. The Collegium is yet to take any action on the same..Update: Journalist Maneesh Chhibber has tweeted that there will be a last-minute notification appointing Justice AK Mittal as Acting Chief Justice..Read the communication by the Registry to outgoing Chief Justice SF Vazfidar below. HT to Shantanu Singh.