Justice Sanjiv Khanna Sworn in as 51st Chief Justice of India

On Monday, Justice Sanjiv Khanna was officially sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India during a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This follows the retirement of his predecessor, Justice DY Chandrachud, who stepped down on November 10 at the age of 65. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office, with several prominent dignitaries present, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.

Justice Khanna’s appointment was recommended by Justice Chandrachud before his retirement. The newly appointed Chief Justice will serve a term until May 13, 2025. Born on May 14, 1960, Justice Khanna completed his law studies at Delhi University’s Campus Law Centre. His legal career has been deeply rooted in his family’s legal tradition.

Before his elevation to the Supreme Court in January 2019, Justice Khanna served as a judge of the Delhi High Court. Over his distinguished tenure, he has presided over several high-profile and politically sensitive cases. A notable case included his involvement in granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, in the liquor policy case. Justice Khanna’s bench, in May and again in July, granted interim bail to Kejriwal. Furthermore, he referred the case to a larger bench to review the grounds for arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Apart from his involvement in politically sensitive cases, Justice Khanna has made significant contributions as part of the Constitution Bench. He has delivered key judgments in cases such as the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the electoral bonds case. His bench has also addressed crucial concerns related to electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the integrity of Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs).

Justice Khanna’s legal expertise and commitment to upholding the Constitution will undoubtedly influence several landmark cases during his tenure as the Chief Justice of India. His appointment marks a new chapter for the country’s judiciary, one that promises to tackle the most pressing legal issues facing India today.

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