Who Is Sanjiv Khanna? Meet The New Chief Justice of India

The Union Government has officially approved Justice Sanjiv Khanna's appointment as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI). Currently serving as the first puisne judge at the Supreme Court, Justice Khanna is set to take office on November 11, following the retirement of the incumbent CJI, DY Chandrachud. CJI Chandrachud had previously recommended Justice Khanna for this role, in line with established protocols for such appointments.

This transition represents a pivotal moment for the Indian judiciary as Justice Khanna prepares to lead.Union Minister of State for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, announced the news via X (formerly Twitter), confirming the government's endorsement of Justice Khanna's appointment.“

In exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India, the Hon’ble President, after consulting with the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, as Chief Justice of India effective from November 11, 2024,” Meghwal's post stated.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna Takes Over as CJI: Who Is He?

Born on May 14, 1960, Justice Sanjiv Khanna became an advocate registered with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983. He initially practiced in district courts before moving to the Delhi High Court, where he specialized in various areas of law, including constitutional law, direct taxation, arbitration, commercial law, company law, land law, environmental law, and medical negligence.

Justice Khanna served as a senior standing counsel for the Income Tax Department and also acted as standing counsel for the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Additionally, he held positions as an Additional Public Prosecutor and amicus curiae in the High Court.

He was elevated to Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court in 2005 and became a Permanent Judge in 2006. On January 18, 2019, he was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court. Despite ranking 33rd in the overall seniority of High Court judges across India, the then Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, recommended him based on merit and integrity.

Justice Khanna presided over the Supreme Court when it granted interim bail to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to campaign in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He was also part of the Constitution Bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Justice Khanna is set to retire on May 13, 2025.