Justice Sanjiv Khanna Appointed as Next Chief Justice of India, To Take Oath on November 11
On Thursday, Justice Sanjiv Khanna was appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) by the President of India. He will take the oath of office on November 11, succeeding the current Chief Justice, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who is set to retire on November 10 after reaching the age of 65. Justice Chandrachud had assumed the role on November 8, 2022.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s tenure as the CJI will extend for slightly more than six months, concluding on May 13, 2025, after which he will retire. This appointment has been confirmed by the law ministry following the recommendation by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. Justice Khanna, who is one of the senior-most judges in the Supreme Court, will step into the role as the next head of the Indian judiciary.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna has a long-standing and distinguished career. He was first appointed as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court in 2005 and was confirmed as a permanent judge in 2006. His elevation to the Supreme Court came on January 18, 2019. Prior to his judicial career, Justice Khanna was a practicing advocate, having completed his law studies from the Campus Law Centre of Delhi University.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna is also the son of Justice Adarsh Khanna, a former judge of the Supreme Court. Born in 1960, Justice Khanna has played a key role in several significant cases. Notably, he was part of the five-judge bench that upheld the legality of electoral bonds used for political funding, dismissing challenges that questioned their constitutionality. Furthermore, Justice Khanna was instrumental in judgments that sought to safeguard electoral integrity by maintaining the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the Indian electoral process.
Justice Khanna has also served as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), highlighting his commitment to legal aid and services. As he prepares to take on the mantle of the Chief Justice of India, the nation looks forward to his leadership, legal acumen, and continued dedication to upholding the constitution and the rule of law.
Key Highlighted:
- Justice Sanjiv Khanna: Recently appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India, set to take over the role from Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.
- Chief Justice of India (CJI): The head of the Indian judiciary and the Supreme Court, responsible for overseeing legal processes and judgments across the country.
- Supreme Court of India: The highest judicial body in India, located in New Delhi, where Justice Sanjiv Khanna will assume his role as CJI.
- Justice D.Y. Chandrachud: The outgoing Chief Justice of India, who will retire on November 10, paving the way for Justice Khanna’s appointment.
- Delhi High Court: Where Justice Sanjiv Khanna began his judicial career as an additional judge in 2005 before becoming a permanent judge in 2006.
- NALSA (National Legal Services Authority): An organization focused on legal aid, where Justice Khanna served as the Executive Chairman, highlighting his dedication to public service.
- Indian Judiciary: The legal system of India, with the Supreme Court being the apex body ensuring the implementation of the Constitution and the rule of law.
- Electoral Bonds: A mechanism for political funding in India, where Justice Khanna was part of a bench that upheld their legality, emphasizing transparency in political donations.
- EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines): Integral to Indian elections, with Justice Khanna’s decisions supporting their continued use for maintaining electoral integrity.
- Constitution: The supreme law of India, under which Justice Khanna will lead as the Chief Justice, ensuring justice, liberty, and equality.
