Each morning, Justice Khanna would take long, solitary walks for several kilometers around the Lodhi Garden area and near his home, confident that he would go unrecognized. However, after his appointment as the next Chief Justice was announced late last month, he was advised to bring a security personnel along on his morning walks.
NEW DELHI: Justice Sanjiv Khanna is set to be sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India on Monday(11th Nov). Known for his early morning walks, Justice Khanna enjoyed long solitary strolls in Delhi’s Lodhi Garden and around his neighborhood, assuming he would go unrecognized.
Following his recent appointment announcement, however, he was advised to have security accompany him on these walks. Unaccustomed to this, he opted to forgo his routine entirely.
A graduate of Modern School, St. Stephen’s College, and Delhi University’s Campus Law Centre, Justice Khanna is well-acquainted with Delhi’s landscape. Close to his old school, college, and law centre friends, he often drives himself to visit them.
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According to friends, Justice Khanna remains as humble and private as ever. For instance, during the May Lok Sabha elections, he arrived at the Nirman Bhawan polling station in his personal car, bypassing the expected official vehicle and security, which left waiting reporters unaware of his presence.
Justice Khanna’s term as Chief Justice will last six months, concluding with his retirement on May 13, 2025.
51st Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna
Justice Sanjiv Khanna will take office as the 51st Chief Justice of India on November 11, 2024, and will lead the Supreme Court for a six-month tenure until his retirement on May 13, 2025. His tenure will be the second shortest among the next eight Chief Justices, with Justice B.V. Nagarathna slated for an even shorter 36-day term in 2027.
The Khanna Court will face a significant backlog, with over 82,000 cases pending up from the more than 69,000 cases recorded when Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud took office. Key matters awaiting resolution include Constitution Bench cases on topics such as the legality of sedition, the authority of a Speaker in disqualification cases, and a review of the Sabarimala judgment.
Additionally, other prominent cases involve challenges to the marital rape exemption, the selection process for Election Commission members, and the legality of the Bihar caste census.
Justice Khanna will inherit from CJI Chandrachud, who retires on November 10, a court transformed by technology, featuring e-filing systems, an online access pass system, and live streaming of all proceedings. As Chief Justice, he will also lead the Supreme Court Collegium, tasked with recommending appointments to both the Supreme Court and High Courts. During his tenure, he is expected to oversee the elevation of four new judges to the Supreme Court.
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