Justice Sanjiv Khanna assumed office as the Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Monday, November 11, succeeding Justice DY Chandrachud.
The oath of office was administered by President Droupadi Murmu in a special ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Justice Khanna, who is now the 51st CJI, will serve in this capacity until May 13, 2025.
Justice Khanna, previously a key figure in several landmark cases, including the scrapping of electoral bonds and upholding the abrogation of Article 370, has been on the Supreme Court Bench since January 2019.
The Union Government notified his appointment on October 24, following the recommendation by Justice Chandrachud on October 16.
President Murmu expressed her confidence in the new CJI’s capability to lead India's judiciary. Outgoing CJI DY Chandrachud was honoured on his final day at the apex court with a farewell by judges, lawyers, and staff of the Supreme Court.
Who is Justice Sanjiv Khanna?
Justice Khanna hails from a prominent legal family based in Delhi. He is the son of Justice Dev Raj Khanna, a former judge of the Delhi High Court, and the nephew of Justice HR Khanna, the noted Supreme Court judge famous for his dissenting opinion in the ADM Jabalpur case during the Emergency.
Justice HR Khanna’s stance on fundamental rights remains a defining moment in India’s judicial history.
His dissent, which opposed the suspension of basic rights during the Emergency, led to his supersession by Justice MH Beg as Chief Justice under the Indira Gandhi administration.
Despite his notable contributions, Justice HR Khanna resigned in 1976 after this incident, widely regarded as a controversial moment for India’s judiciary.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna, born on 14 May 1960, completed his law degree at Delhi University’s Campus Law Centre. He began his legal career in 1983, initially practising in Tis Hazari district courts before moving to the Delhi High Court.
Known for his emphasis on reducing judicial pendency, he served as the senior standing counsel for the Income Tax Department and was appointed standing counsel (Civil) for the National Capital Territory of Delhi in 2004.
In his tenure at the Delhi High Court, Justice Khanna handled high-profile criminal cases as an additional public prosecutor and served as an amicus curiae.
As a Supreme Court judge, he has demonstrated a commitment to judicial integrity and transparency, notably granting interim bail to political leaders in high-stakes cases and striving to uphold constitutional values.
Justice Khanna’s appointment marks a continued lineage of legal excellence, and his reputation for fairness and efficiency is expected to guide the Supreme Court through the current judicial climate.
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