New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath to Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the 51st Chief Justice of India on Monday (November 11). The swearing-in ceremony will begin at 10 am at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Justice Khanna will replace Justice DY Chandrachud and take over as Chief Justice.
Justice Khanna has been a part of many historic decisions in the country. He has played a role in important rulings, such as abolishing the electoral bond scheme and repealing Article 370. He will serve in this position till May 13, 2025.
Sanjiv Khanna’s early legal career and contributions
Justice Khanna has been serving as a Supreme Court judge since 2019. He was involved in decisions regarding electoral bonds, the abrogation of Article 370, maintaining the sanctity of EVMs, and granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal.
Justice Khanna was born on May 14, 1960, in a Delhi-based family. His father, Judge Dev Raj Khanna, served as a judge in the Delhi High Court. He is also the nephew of former Supreme Court Chief Justice HR Khanna. He studied law at the Campus Law Center of Delhi University. He has also served as the executive chairman of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
Justice Khanna joined the Delhi Bar Council in 1983 and initially practised in the district courts at Tis Hazari Complex before moving to the Delhi High Court. He also served for a long time as Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department.
In 2004, he was appointed Standing Counsel (Civil) for Delhi. Justice Khanna fought several criminal cases in the Delhi High Court as an Additional Public Prosecutor.
Appointment as Chief Justice
Former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud recommended the name of Justice Sanjiv Khanna for the post of CJI on October 16. Following this, the Centre officially announced the appointment of Justice Khanna as Chief Justice on October 24.
November 8 marked Justice Chandrachud’s last working day as CJI. Afterwards, he was given a grand farewell by the judges, lawyers and employees of the apex court as his successful two-year tenure concluded.
