Dalil.in Bureau
Chandigarh: In a significant development, as many as seven advocates practicing before the Punjab and Haryana High Court are set for elevation to the Bench, with the High Court collegium learned to have recommended their names—including three women lawyers—for appointment as judges.
According to sources, the collegium has forwarded the names of senior advocates Sunil Bindlish, Navdeep Singh, Ravinder Malik Ravi, Puja Chopra, Divya Sharma, Monica Chhibber, and advocate H.S. Deol. Sources confirmed to Dalil.in bureau that the governors of Punjab and Haryana have already cleared the recommendations.
The proposals will now move to the Supreme Court collegium, along with intelligence agency reports assessing the candidates’ integrity and professional competence. After approval by the SC collegium, the names will be sent to the Union government for final clearance.
Among the recommended lawyers, senior advocate Puja Chopra is widely regarded as a hardworking, self-made practitioner known for her meticulous preparation before the High Court. Senior advocate Monica Chhibber also enjoys a strong reputation among both the Bar and the Bench for her professional efficiency.
Another woman lawyer, Divya Sharma, is believed to be the youngest among the recommended candidates. She was recently designated as a senior advocate.
Senior advocate Sunil Bindlish is a well-known tax practitioner, respected for his soft-spoken demeanour and professional discipline. Senior advocate Navdeep Singh, a former army reservist, is recognised for his expertise in constitutional and military law. He is the founding president of the Armed Forces Tribunal Bar Association, has represented India internationally, and is also known for his research and authorship. He has a long-standing and diverse practice before the High Court.
Senior advocate Ravinder Malik Ravi is also known for his non-controversial and respectable standing at the Bar.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court—whose jurisdiction extends across Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh—currently has 59 sitting judges against a sanctioned strength of 85.
Haryana AG may be considered for elevation
Meanwhile, sources told Dalil.in that the Supreme Court collegium is expected to soon take up the names of Haryana Advocate General Parvinder Singh Chauhan, advocate Rajesh Gaur and Minderjeet Singh Yadav for elevation as High Court judges. Their names have been pending before the collegium for a long time and are expected to come up for discussion next week. Sources added that the collegium may recommend two names among them. Once cleared, they would be senior to the seven names that have been recommended recently.
