In a significant development for the Indian judiciary, Supreme Court Justice Sanjiv Khanna has been elected as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI). The announcement was made by Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s legal landscape. Justice Khanna is set to take his oath of office on November 11, coinciding with the conclusion of the tenure of the outgoing Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who recommended Khanna for the role just last week. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, born on May 14, 1960, boasts over 40 years of experience in the legal field.
After joining the Delhi Bar Council in 1983, he established a prominent career advocating across various legal domains, including constitutional law, taxation, commercial laws, and environmental regulations. His extensive expertise led him to serve as a Senior Advocate for the Income Tax Department and as an Additional Public Prosecutor in the Delhi High Court. Elevated to the Delhi High Court in 2005 and subsequently to the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019, Justice Khanna has made a name for himself through several landmark judgments.
Notably, he was part of the five-judge bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, stating that its removal did not hinder India's federal structure. During his tenure, he has also presided over key cases, including a recent ruling that emphasized the importance of expeditious divorce proceedings under Article 142 of the Constitution when rehabilitation of the marriage is not feasible.
In 2019, he affirmed the relationship between judicial independence and the Right to Information, asserting the necessity for transparency while respecting the privacy of judges. As he prepares to take over the highest judicial office in the country, Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s leadership is anticipated to steer the Indian judiciary through contemporary challenges while upholding the principles of justice and fairness. His election to the position of Chief Justice signifies a new chapter in the ongoing evolution of the Indian legal system, promising a future of impactful decisions and progressive reforms.
