New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) in a solemn ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. Justice Khanna, who will serve a tenure of around six months, succeeds Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.
As a Supreme Court judge, Justice Khanna has been part of several landmark rulings, including those on Article 370, the decriminalization of adultery, the controversial electoral bonds scheme, and the EVM-VVPAT tally system, which have had a significant impact on India’s legal and political landscape.
The appointment of Justice Khanna was cleared by the Centre on October 24, following a recommendation from then Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. A notification issued by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice confirmed his appointment with effect from November 11, 2024, under the powers conferred by Clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution of India.
Before his elevation to the Supreme Court, Justice Khanna served as a judge at the Delhi High Court until January 2019. During his tenure, he held key positions, including Chairman of the Delhi Judicial Academy, Judge-in-charge of the Delhi International Arbitration Centre, and Head of the District Court Mediation Centres.
In his judicial career, Justice Khanna has been a notable figure in various legal forums. He has also been an active participant in legal reforms, holding positions such as the Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee and the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority. He is also a member of the Governing Council of the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal.
Justice Khanna, born in May 1960, is an alumnus of Delhi University’s Campus Law Centre. He enrolled as an advocate in 1983 and built a distinguished career specializing in taxation, arbitration, commercial law, environmental law, medical negligence, and company law. He has also served as the Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department and the Standing Counsel (Civil) for the Delhi government. Additionally, he has represented the Delhi High Court in numerous criminal cases and served as an amicus curiae (friend of the court) in various matters.
With his extensive experience and legal expertise, Justice Khanna’s appointment as CJI marks a new chapter in India’s judiciary as he takes on the mantle of leading the country’s highest court in the coming months.