Justice Sanjiv Khanna commenced his role as the 51st Chief Justice of India with a busy first day, hearing 45 cases. Officially sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu, he prioritizes efficiency and accountability. His previous experience includes significant rulings on electoral integrity and constitutional matters, promising a dedicated leadership focused on high judicial standards until his retirement in May 2025.
New Delhi: Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who took office as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI), started his tenure with a busy courtroom, hearing an impressive 45 cases on his first day. He expressed gratitude to the lawyers and bar leaders who extended their congratulations and support. His official swearing-in was conducted by President Droupadi Murmu in a brief ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking the beginning of his leadership of the judiciary.
CJI Khanna entered the Supreme Court’s iconic courtroom around noon, welcomed by an enthusiastic gathering of bar leaders, lawyers, and senior advocates, including former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi. “I wish you a fruitful tenure as the CJI,” said Rohatgi, adding that CJI Khanna’s appointment as the top judge brings another Chief Justice from Delhi High Court after Justice Y.K. Sabharwal.
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Justice Khanna, sitting alongside Justice Sanjay Kumar, addressed the bar’s concerns regarding the sequence of cases listed for hearing, assuring them that it was “in his mind” and that he would consider adjustments. He presided over the court until 2:30 p.m., dealing primarily with commercial disputes, showcasing his commitment to efficiency and responsiveness in court proceedings.
One significant matter involved a plea filed by the West Bengal government challenging an arbitral award. CJI Khanna, in a firm stance, stated, “The citizens cannot be taken for a ride,” and declined to entertain the state’s appeal against the award, which ordered it to compensate a Mauritius-based company for promised tax incentives. This set a clear precedent for his commitment to upholding accountability in government dealings.
Justice Khanna, who took his oath in English “in the name of God,” will serve as CJI until May 13, 2025, following the retirement of Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who recommended Khanna as his successor. Justice Chandrachud’s presence at the ceremony alongside Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal highlighted the importance of the occasion.
Profile of CJI Sanjiv Khanna
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Born on May 14, 1960, CJI Khanna completed his law degree from Delhi University’s Campus Law Centre, beginning his legal practice in 1983. With a background in constitutional law, arbitration, taxation, and commercial law, he served as Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department and later as Standing Counsel for Delhi’s civil law cases.
Appointed as a judge to the Delhi High Court in 2005, Justice Khanna’s influence extended to judicial education through the Delhi Judicial Academy and the Delhi International Arbitration Centre. In 2019, he was elevated to the Supreme Court by then-President Ram Nath Kovind and has since authored over 117 judgments on key civil, criminal, constitutional, and arbitration matters.
Among his notable opinions:
- Electoral Bond Scheme (2024): Justice Khanna contributed to the judgment declaring the scheme unconstitutional, emphasizing transparency in the electoral process.
- Association for Democratic Reforms v Election Commission of India (2024): He noted the Election Commission’s measures to ensure election integrity while addressing the ADR’s plea on vote verification.
- Article 370 Abrogation (2023): Justice Khanna upheld the decision to abrogate Article 370, a key ruling on India’s federal structure.
With a foundation of legal expertise and a dedication to judicial integrity, CJI Sanjiv Khanna’s tenure promises a continuation of high standards in the Indian judiciary.
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