Justice Sanjiv Khanna Takes Oath as 51st Chief Justice of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi, November 2024:

Justice Sanjiv Khanna has officially taken the oath as the 51st Chief Justice of India at a prestigious ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Justice Khanna, aged 64, was administered the oath by President Droupadi Murmu and has succeeded former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. His tenure, although brief, is set to last until May 13, 2025, marking a significant milestone in India’s judiciary.

Who is Justice Sanjiv Khanna?

Born on May 14, 1960, Justice Sanjiv Khanna hails from a distinguished legal family. His father, Justice Dev Raj Khanna, was a judge at the Delhi High Court, and his uncle, the late Justice HR Khanna, was a renowned Supreme Court judge celebrated for his stand on civil liberties. Justice Khanna completed his law education at the prestigious Campus Law Centre of Delhi University. His career in law began in 1983 when he registered with the Bar Council of Delhi and started practicing at the Tis Hazari District Courts before moving to the Delhi High Court.

Justice Khanna has served in various legal capacities, including as senior standing counsel for the Income Tax Department and as standing counsel (Civil) for the National Capital Territory of Delhi. He has also represented several high-profile criminal cases at the Delhi High Court, working both as an additional public prosecutor and as amicus curiae. He was appointed to the Supreme Court in January 2019 and has been involved in many landmark rulings since.

LIVE: Swearing-in-Ceremony of the Chief Justice of India Shri Justice Sanjiv Khanna at Rashtrapati Bhavan https://t.co/zC6Dj1gWS0

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 11, 2024

Landmark Judgments by Justice Sanjiv Khanna

Justice Khanna has played a crucial role in shaping contemporary Indian law through his involvement in landmark Supreme Court rulings. Some of his notable judgments include:

1. Upholding the Integrity of EVMs: Justice Khanna was part of the bench that defended the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) amid widespread scrutiny.
2. Scrapping the Electoral Bonds Scheme: His role in striking down the controversial electoral bonds scheme underscored his commitment to transparent political funding.
3. Supporting the Abrogation of Article 370: Justice Khanna was part of the historic five-judge bench that upheld the 2019 decision by the central government to abrogate Article 370, removing the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
4. Granting Interim Bail to Arvind Kejriwal: In a high-profile case related to the excise policy, Justice Khanna led the bench that granted interim bail to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, enabling him to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.

Justice Khanna is also recognized for his dedication to judicial reform, including reducing judicial pendency and ensuring faster justice delivery. His six-month tenure as Chief Justice of India will focus on continuing these efforts to improve the efficiency and accessibility of India’s judicial system.

Legacy and Future Impact

Justice Sanjiv Khanna represents the third generation of his family to enter the legal profession, carrying forward a legacy of integrity and commitment to justice. His brief term is expected to address key issues such as judicial backlog and further the digitization of court processes, aligning with India’s vision for an efficient and transparent judiciary.

As Chief Justice, Justice Khanna will oversee critical cases and decisions that could impact the nation. His experience and dedication to justice have set high expectations, ensuring that his contributions will continue to influence Indian law and society for years to come.