Meet Justice Sanjiv Khanna, 51st Chief Justice of India Who Has Succeeded DY Chandrachud

New Delhi: Justice Sanjiv Khanna sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India on Monday in a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He takes over from Justice DY Chandrachud, who retired after a distinguished tenure. The oath of office will be administered by President Droupadi Murmu at 10 AM. Justice Khanna, 64 years old, will serve a six-month term, which will conclude on May 13, 2025.

Who is Justice Sanjiv Khanna?

Born on May 14, 1960, in New Delhi, Justice Khanna has had an impressive career in the Indian judiciary. After completing his schooling at Modern School in New Delhi in 1977, he took admission in St. Stephen's College, affiliated with Delhi University, to pursue his graduation, which he completed in 1980. His legal journey began shortly after, as he was enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi.

Journey So Far in Judiciary

Justice Khanna’s career in the legal field took off when he became an advocate in Delhi in 1983. In 2005, he was appointed as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court, and by February 2006, he became a permanent judge. His expertise and contribution to law did not go unnoticed, and in January 2019, he was elevated to the Supreme Court of India, where he became known for his sharp legal acumen and commitment to justice.

Take a Look at Justice Khanna's Judgements

Justice Khanna has been part of several landmark rulings that will go down in the history of the judiciary, including the verdict on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. He also led the bench that declared the electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional. Justice Khanna is the same judge who granted interim bail to then Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, allowing him to campaign. 

Other Role in Legal Services

Apart from his judicial work, Justice Khanna also holds the position of ex officio Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). In this role, he has contributed to the organisation’s mission of providing free legal services to the underprivileged and ensuring that justice is accessible to all citizens, regardless of their economic background.