New Delhi: Justice Sanjiv Khanna took the oath as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) at a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, administered by President Droupadi Murmu. Succeeding Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice Khanna is expected to helm the judiciary with a focus on judicial reform, accountability, and expeditious justice delivery, given his long history of judicial contributions and reform-oriented decisions. His tenure will extend until May 13, 2025, concluding just before he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 65.
An Esteemed Judicial Journey
Born on May 14, 1960, Justice Khanna began his career in law in 1983 at the Delhi High Court and quickly gained a reputation for his incisive legal expertise and commitment to justice. His tenure as a Supreme Court judge, which began in January 2019, has seen him contributing to significant and sometimes controversial cases. These include rulings on the electronic voting machine (EVM) integrity, declaring the electoral bond scheme unconstitutional, upholding the abrogation of Article 370, and granting interim bail to prominent political figures in complex cases.
Notable Judgments and Legacy
Justice Khanna’s contributions as a Supreme Court judge reflect his judicial philosophy rooted in constitutional integrity and transparency. His affirmation of EVM reliability reinforced democratic processes, while his role in the Article 370 ruling solidified a turning point in the status of Jammu and Kashmir. In a historic stance, Justice Khanna also helped declare the electoral bond scheme unconstitutional, signaling his commitment to transparency in political financing.
As the new head of the judiciary, Justice Khanna inherits the legacy of his uncle, Justice H.R. Khanna, a stalwart known for his dissenting opinion during the Emergency’s ADM Jabalpur case, which challenged executive overreach. This shared commitment to judicial independence and courage is expected to guide Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s approach in addressing India’s pressing judicial challenges.
Priorities as Chief Justice of India
Justice Khanna has openly expressed his desire to tackle longstanding issues like case pendency and delayed justice. His tenure as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) underlines his belief in accessible justice, a priority he aims to strengthen further as CJI. Moreover, his appointment comes at a pivotal moment for India’s judiciary, with the recent reforms and a push towards digitizing court records aimed at easing case management across courts.
A Visionary for the Judiciary’s Future
Justice Khanna’s tenure as CJI is expected to witness significant strides in judicial reform, particularly in enhancing judicial accountability and reinforcing the efficiency of legal processes. As the judiciary grapples with modern challenges, Justice Khanna’s expertise and vision may drive transformative changes aimed at bolstering public trust in the judicial system.
Web Team, C6N
 at a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, administered by President Droupadi Murmu. Succeeding Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice Khanna is expected to helm the judiciary with a focus on judicial reform, accountability, and expeditious justice delivery, given his long history of judicial contributions and reform-oriented decisions. His tenure will extend until May 13, 2025, concluding just before he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 65.){kind=link}