Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India on Monday in a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, and former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, among other dignitaries. Justice Sanjiv Khanna succeeds Justice DY Chandrachud, who retired on November 10 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65. Justice Sanjiv Khanna will serve in this capacity until May 13 next year.
Born on May 14, 1960, Justice Sanjiv Khanna comes from a distinguished legal background as a third-generation lawyer. He completed his law degree at Delhi University’s Campus Law Centre before embarking on his judicial career. Appointed as a judge of the Delhi High Court, Justice Sanjiv Khanna later served as the executive chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), further establishing his credentials as a legal luminary.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna was elevated to the Supreme Court in January 2019, where he presided over numerous high-profile cases. Among his notable contributions, Justice Sanjiv Khanna headed benches dealing with politically sensitive matters, including granting interim bail to Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case. His bench made headlines in May by granting bail to Kejriwal specifically for campaigning during the Lok Sabha elections. The matter, subsequently referred to a larger bench, highlighted Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s balanced approach to contentious legal issues, particularly those under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
As part of the Constitution Bench, Justice Sanjiv Khanna played a pivotal role in landmark judgments, including the revocation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and the electoral bonds case concerning political funding transparency. He also presided over cases addressing the functionality of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), reflecting his engagement with critical aspects of India’s democratic framework.
Justice Chandrachud had recommended Justice Sanjiv Khanna as his successor before retiring, underscoring the high regard he commands within the judiciary. With his extensive experience and a reputation for fairness, Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s tenure as Chief Justice is anticipated to bring further integrity and balance to the judiciary. His contributions to legal jurisprudence and public service will remain under keen observation during his term
