Justice Sanjiv Khanna has been appointed as the next Chief Justice of India, succeeding CJI DY Chandrachud on November 10. Known for landmark rulings, including upholding the abrogation of Article 370 and striking down the Electoral Bonds scheme, Justice Khanna emphasizes a judge’s role as a “keeper of law.”
New Delhi: The Union Government on Thursday cleared the appointment of Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI), following the impending retirement of incumbent CJI DY Chandrachud on November 10, 2024. Justice Khanna’s tenure, though short, will be significant, as he will serve for 183 days, retiring on May 13, 2025.
As per the norm, CJI Chandrachud had recommended Justice Khanna, who currently holds the position of first puisne judge at the Supreme Court, for the appointment. The announcement was officially made by Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who shared the news on X (formerly Twitter).
A Legacy of Law and Key Contributions
Justice Sanjiv Khanna comes from a distinguished legal lineage, being the nephew of the late Justice Hans Raj Khanna, known for his famous dissent in the ADM Jabalpur case, a critical moment in Indian legal history. Justice Sanjiv Khanna began his legal career in 1983, working across various domains including taxation, constitutional law, arbitration, and commercial matters.
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In 2005, he was appointed an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court, becoming a permanent judge a year later. His elevation to the Supreme Court came in January 2019, marking a career marked by numerous notable rulings.
Key Judgments by Justice Khanna
Justice Khanna has contributed to several landmark judgments during his time at the Supreme Court, particularly in the past year:
- Abrogation of Article 370: He was part of the Constitution Bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, ending the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Electoral Bonds Scheme: Justice Khanna was instrumental in striking down the Electoral Bonds scheme, which allowed anonymous donations to political parties, a significant step for electoral transparency.
- Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage: In May 2023, he ruled that the Supreme Court can use its plenary powers under Article 142 to grant a decree of divorce in cases where the marriage is irretrievably broken.
- VVPAT Petition: In April 2023, Justice Khanna rejected a plea that sought to tally all Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) votes during elections.
- Delhi Excise Policy Scam: Justice Khanna’s Bench granted interim bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the money laundering case tied to the Delhi excise policy scam.
A Judge with Integrity and Foresight
Justice Khanna has always emphasized the importance of a judge’s role as a “keeper of law,” rather than a creator of it. During a Full Court Reference at the High Court, he highlighted the three major problems in the legal system – delay in case disposal, high litigation costs, and the common perception that without falsehood, a case cannot be won.
He further noted that “Enthusiasm is not a virtue of a Judge,” underscoring the importance of maintaining judicial calm and objectivity.
Looking Ahead
As CJI, Justice Khanna is expected to focus on digitization, a project that has already gained momentum under CJI Chandrachud. With his keen interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and its use in translating court judgments into regional languages, Justice Khanna’s tenure will likely see further strides in this area. His approach to judicial processes—combining technological advancement with a deep respect for legal tradition—positions him well to handle the challenges that lie ahead.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s elevation marks the continuation of a legacy of integrity, and while his tenure may be brief, it will undoubtedly be impactful.
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