The Supreme Court on Wednesday (17 June) intervened in a case involving a former judicial officer's challenge to his dismissal from service after being informed that four successive benches of the Punjab and Haryana High Court had recused from hearing the matter.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana expressed concern over the repeated recusals and directed that the case be heard without further delay.
The matter came before the Supreme Court through a transfer petition filed by Amrish Kumar Jain, who sought transfer of his pending case after several High Court benches stepped aside from hearing it.
During the hearing, Jain informed the Court that benches headed by Justices Lisa Gill, Sanjiv Berry, Ashwini Kumar Mishra and Dipak Sibal had recused themselves from the proceedings.
The Chief Justice questioned the circumstances leading to the repeated recusals.
“I would like to know who are the judges. So then I am going to make an inquiry into what kind of activities you are indulging in,” the Bench observed.
The Court also voiced concern about possible attempts to influence proceedings. The CJI remarked that “three or four so-called senior advocates are creating havoc” and advised the petitioner to argue the matter himself rather than engage senior counsel.
The Bench further cautioned that any effort to disrupt the judicial process could attract “serious consequences.”
Declining the request to transfer the case to another High Court, the Supreme Court requested the Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to constitute a two-judge Division Bench to hear the matter.
The Court advised the nominated judges not to recuse themselves “irrespective of the situations that may be created by anyone.”
It directed that the case be heard on a day-to-day basis beginning in the week commencing July 13, 2026, and ordered the Registrar General to submit a compliance report after judgment is reserved.
Case Details:
Case Title: Amrish Kumar Jain v. State of Punjab
Case Number: T.P.(C) No. 1641/2026
Judge: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana
Decision Date: June 17, 2026
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