India, Sept. 8 -- Former Union law minister Ashwani Kumar on Monday said the controversy over the appointment of the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court should have been avoided as it negatively impacts inter-institutional and Union-State relations. In a statement, he said that while the views of state governments are sought on the proposed appointment of High Court judges, they are not binding on the Union Government or the President of India.

Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra was sworn in as the chief justice of the Punjab and Haryana HC on Monday, a day after the AAP government in Punjab objected to the Centre notifying his appointment without awaiting its views, alleging the decision bypassed Constitutional norms and set proced...