Grewal, Nalwa sworn in Addl Judges of HC

Advocates Harmeet Singh Grewal and Deepinder Singh Nalwa were sworn in the Additional Judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday. Chief Justice Sheel Nagu administered the oath at a ceremony attended by sitting and retired judges, bureaucrats, relatives and members of the legal fraternity.

Justice Grewal, who primarily practised criminal and constitutional law before his elevation, previously served as a law officer for Punjab. His father, Gurdarshan Singh Grewal, served as Punjab’s Advocate-General before resigning in October 1998, reportedly “on issues of principle”.

He was known for his firm stance against defending senior officers accused of scams and his opposition to hefty legal fees paid by boards and corporations.

Justice Nalwa, formerly an Additional Advocate-General of Haryana, built a reputation in service, civil and constitutional law. As an advocate, he was known for his meticulous preparation, persuasive arguments and deep understanding of administrative and constitutional matters. His ability to handle complex legal challenges, particularly in service law disputes, earned him recognition in the legal fraternity. Having a career marked by professionalism and unwavering dedication, he was often sought after for legal opinions in intricate constitutional and civil matters.

The number of judges with their appointment has gone up to 53. However, the crisis in the high court continues with the shortage of 32 judges. The high court, as of now, has a sanctioned strength of 85. Three judges are set to retire this year.

The lengthy and complex process of appointing judges, which involves clearance by state governments, governors, the Supreme Court Collegium, and the Union Law Ministry, has contributed to the delay in filling up the vacancies. The process typically spans several months, adding to the mounting pressure on the judicial system.

The two new appointments come at a time when the high court is grappling with a staggering pendency of over 4.32 lakh cases. According to the National Judicial Data Grid’s January figures, nearly 85 per cent of these cases have remained unresolved for over a year, with some dating back nearly four decades. Of the 4, 32,227 pending cases, 2, 68,279 are civil matters while 1, 63,948 are criminal cases, directly impacting fundamental rights such as life and liberty.