Today, On 11th November, Justice Sanjiv Khanna is set to be sworn as the 51st Chief Justice of India, succeeding Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who retired on Sunday. Justice Khanna’s appointment marks a new chapter for the Supreme Court as he takes on the nation’s highest judicial role. His term will extend until May 13, 2025, during which he will preside over key cases and decisions that may shape India’s legal landscape.
New Delhi: Justice Sanjiv Khanna, known for his role in significant Supreme Court rulings like the annulment of the electoral bonds scheme and the endorsement of the abrogation of Article 370, is set to be inaugurated as the 51st Chief Justice of India on Monday.
The oath of office will be administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in a ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m.
Justice Khanna will succeed Justice DY Chandrachud, who retired on Sunday. His tenure as Chief Justice will last until May 13, 2025.
The government officially announced Justice Khanna’s appointment on October 24, following a recommendation from Chief Justice Chandrachud on October 16. Friday marked Justice Chandrachud’s final working day as Chief Justice, during which he received a warm farewell from fellow judges, lawyers, and court staff.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who was appointed as a Supreme Court judge in January 2019, has played a crucial role in several landmark decisions. His notable rulings include upholding the integrity of electronic voting machines (EVMs), striking down the electoral bonds scheme, affirming the revocation of Article 370, and granting interim bail to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Coming from a distinguished family in Delhi, Justice Khanna is the son of former Delhi High Court judge Justice Dev Raj Khanna and the nephew of renowned former Supreme Court judge H.R. Khanna. Prior to his Supreme Court appointment, he had an impressive career as a third-generation lawyer and later served as a judge on the Delhi High Court. He is recognized for his dedication to reducing judicial delays and enhancing the efficiency of justice delivery, priorities he is expected to maintain during his tenure.
Justice H.R. Khanna, his uncle, gained notoriety for resigning in 1976 after delivering a dissenting opinion in the controversial ADM Jabalpur case during the Emergency. The majority ruling by a Constitution bench, which upheld the suspension of fundamental rights, has been viewed as a “black mark” on the judiciary. Justice H.R. Khanna deemed the action unconstitutional and contrary to the rule of law, resulting in his supersession by the government, which appointed Justice M.H. Beg as the next Chief Justice. He was also instrumental in the landmark Kesavananda Bharati case of 1973, which established the basic structure doctrine.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna has been involved in various significant rulings throughout his time on the Supreme Court. He upheld the use of EVMs, asserting their security and effectiveness in preventing electoral fraud. On April 26, his bench dismissed claims regarding EVM manipulation as “unfounded” and rejected calls to revert to paper ballots.
Additionally, he was part of the five-judge bench that ruled the electoral bond scheme unconstitutional, pointing out its lack of transparency in political party funding. He also contributed to the decision that upheld the central government’s 2019 move to revoke Article 370, which had conferred special status on Jammu and Kashmir.
Notably, it was a bench led by Justice Khanna that granted interim bail to Kejriwal, allowing him to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections related to the excise policy scam cases.
Before joining the Supreme Court, Justice Khanna served for 14 years on the Delhi High Court, where he specialized in taxation and commercial law, authoring numerous significant judgments. Born on May 14, 1960, he earned his law degree from Delhi University and began his legal career in 1983. Starting in Delhi’s district courts, he later moved to the Delhi High Court and various tribunals, dealing with constitutional law, arbitration, direct taxes, company law, land laws, and environmental law.
He also held a long tenure as the senior standing counsel for the Income Tax Department and was appointed standing counsel (Civil) for the National Capital Territory of Delhi in 2004. Furthermore, Justice Khanna represented the state in numerous criminal cases at the Delhi High Court, serving both as an additional public prosecutor and as an amicus curiae.
The Swearing-in-Ceremony of the 51st Chief Justice of India will take place at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, on Monday, November 11, 2024, starting at 10:00 A.M.
The event will be live-streamed. You can access the live stream through the following URLs: on the LawChakra‘s YouTube Channel at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6ZedujZ9ME
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