CJI DY Chandrachud Recommends Justice Sanjiv Khanna As His Successor, Say Sources

CJI DY Chandrachud has reportedly recommended the name of senior-most Supreme Court justice Sanjiv Khanna as his successor. Govt had written to outgoing CJI last Friday to send his recommendation as per the Memorandum of Procedure. With CJI Chandrachud set to retire on November 11, Justice Khanna is expected to take over, after the government approval. 

Upon confirmation, Justice Khanna will become the 51st Chief Justice of India, serving a tenure of six months, ending on May 13, 2025, ahead of his retirement.

Who is Justice Sanjeev Khanna

Justice Sanjeev Khanna is a distinguished figure in the Indian judiciary. Here are some notable facts about him:

Born on May 14, 1960, in Delhi, Justice Khanna was appointed as a Judge of the Delhi High Court in June 2005 and elevated to the Supreme Court of India in January 2019. He hails from a family with a strong legal tradition. His father, Dev Raj Khanna, served as a Judge of the Delhi High Court, and he is the nephew of former Supreme Court Judge Hans Raj Khanna, renowned for his pivotal role in establishing the Basic Structure Doctrine in the Kesavananda Bharati case.

Over his career, Justice Khanna has contributed to several landmark rulings, particularly those concerning the Right to Information (RTI) and freedom of speech. He also holds the position of ex officio Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), an organization dedicated to providing free legal services to the underprivileged.