On his last day, CJI Sanjiv Khanna declared he won’t accept any post-retirement role. He hinted at staying connected to law, but not in an official capacity.
On his last day as the Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna made it very clear that he will not be taking up any government or official post after his retirement.
While answering a question on Tuesday, he firmly said,
“I will not accept any post retirement post.. but perhaps will do something with law.”
This remark from the outgoing CJI shows his commitment to stay independent even after leaving the highest judicial office.
However, he did mention that he may stay connected to the legal field in some way, though not through any official position.
While speaking about the sensitive issue regarding allegations of corruption against Justice Yashwant Varma, Justice Khanna gave an insightful reply.
He said,
“Judicial thinking has to be decisive and adjudicatory. We see plus and minus and decide the issue then rationally. When we do that, we take decisions. Then the future tells you whether what you did was correct or not.”
These words reflect his belief in thoughtful and balanced decision-making, especially when it comes to handling serious issues within the judiciary.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna was born on May 14, 1960, into a family deeply connected to the legal profession. His father, Dev Raj Khanna, was a respected judge of the Delhi High Court.
His mother, Saroj Khanna, was a lecturer at the well-known Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi.
Justice Khanna is the nephew of legendary Supreme Court judge Justice H.R. Khanna, who is best remembered for standing up for justice during difficult times in India’s history.
Justice H.R. Khanna played an important role in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), where he helped establish the Basic Structure Doctrine, which protects the Constitution of India from being destroyed by Parliament.
He also gave the famous lone dissent in the ADM Jabalpur case (1976), defending people’s right to life and liberty during the Emergency.
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This bold decision cost him the chance to become Chief Justice in 1977, but it made him a hero for judicial independence.
Justice Khanna’s grandfather, Sarav Dayal, was also connected to India’s freedom struggle. He was a well-known advocate and part of the Indian National Congress Committee that looked into the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, a turning point in India’s history under British rule.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna himself has more than 30 years of experience in law and the judiciary. He worked both as an advocate and a judge.
He held important roles in the Delhi High Court, including as the Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department, where he handled many important tax cases.
He became an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court in June 2005, and in February 2006, he was made a permanent judge. Later, in January 2019, he was elevated to the Supreme Court of India.
Justice Khanna served as the 51st Chief Justice of India, from November 2024 to May 2025. His term may have been short, but he made a strong impression through his calm and thoughtful leadership.
On his final day in office, his clear message was about staying away from power and continuing to serve law in a more independent way.
His legacy will be remembered not just for the judgments he delivered, but also for his integrity and commitment to justice.
This farewell marks the end of a dignified journey of a judge who upheld the values of the Indian Constitution and justice system throughout his career.
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