Justice Sanjiv Khanna, an eminent figure in Indian judiciary known for his role in multiple landmark Supreme Court judgments, took the oath of office as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Monday. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking Justice Khanna’s succession to Justice DY Chandrachud, who concluded his term last Friday.
Following Chief Justice Chandrachud’s recommendation, the Centre officially announced Justice Khanna’s appointment on October 24. Justice Chandrachud, known for his progressive judgments and contributions to the legal fraternity, received a warm farewell on his last working day from judges, lawyers, and staff from the Supreme Court and high courts.
Justice Khanna, aged 64, will serve a six-month tenure, expected to retire on May 13, 2025. During his time on the bench, he has significantly shaped constitutional and judicial discourse through various high-profile judgments. Notably, he contributed to the decision upholding the abrogation of Article 370 and ruling against the electoral bonds scheme. He also upheld the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in elections, reinforcing confidence in India’s electoral processes.
One of Justice Khanna’s most influential rulings came in a case involving Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, then Chief Minister of Delhi. His bench granted Kejriwal interim bail, allowing him to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections amidst investigations in the excise policy scam cases.
Belonging to a distinguished legal family, Justice Khanna is the son of Justice Dev Raj Khanna, a former judge at the Delhi High Court, and the nephew of Justice HR Khanna, a celebrated figure in Indian judicial history. Justice HR Khanna is remembered for his principled dissent in the ADM Jabalpur case during the Emergency, a decision that led to his resignation in 1976.
Justice Khanna began his legal career in 1983, initially practicing at Delhi’s Tis Hazari district courts before moving to the Delhi High Court. His tenure as senior standing counsel for the Income Tax Department and later as the standing counsel (civil) for Delhi showcased his expertise in complex civil cases. His judicial career advanced steadily, with his appointment as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court in 2005 and his elevation as a permanent judge in 2006. He was subsequently appointed to the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019.
With his deep legal acumen and commitment to upholding constitutional values, Justice Khanna is expected to contribute significantly to the Supreme Court’s legacy during his tenure as CJI.