Justice Sanjiv Khanna Takes Oath As 51st Chief Justice Of India

Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who has contributed to several landmark judgments of the Supreme Court, was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India on Monday. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He succeeds Justice DY Chandrachud, whose term as Chief Justice concluded on Friday.

The Centre formally announced Justice Khanna's appointment on 24 October, following a recommendation by Chief Justice Chandrachud on 16 October. Friday marked the last working day for Justice Chandrachud as Chief Justice, with a warm farewell given by judges, lawyers, and staff from the Supreme Court and high courts.

At 64, Justice Khanna will serve as Chief Justice of India for a six-month term, expected to retire on 13 May 2025.

A Legacy of Landmark Judgments

Justice Khanna has been involved in several significant Supreme Court rulings, such as the annulment of the electoral bonds scheme and the endorsement of Article 370's abrogation. His noteworthy judgments also include upholding the use of electronic voting machines in elections.

A bench led by Justice Khanna, for the first time, granted interim bail to Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, the then Delhi Chief Minister, allowing him to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections amidst the excise policy scam cases.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna's Journey

Justice Khanna hails from a distinguished Delhi-based family. His father, Justice Dev Raj Khanna, served as a judge on the Delhi High Court, and his uncle, Justice HR Khanna, was a prominent former Supreme Court judge. Justice HR Khanna made headlines in 1976 for resigning after delivering a dissenting verdict in the infamous ADM Jabalpur case during the Emergency.

Justice Khanna enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983, initially practising at the district courts in Tis Hazari, later moving to the Delhi High Court and various tribunals. He served a lengthy tenure as senior standing counsel for the Income Tax Department and, in 2004, was appointed standing counsel (civil) for the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

He was elevated to additional judge of the Delhi High Court in 2005 and became a permanent judge in 2006. Justice Khanna was promoted to the Supreme Court on 18 January 2019.