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

New Delhi: Justice Sanjiv Khanna sworn in as 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. oath of office will be ministered by President Droupi 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 h an impressive career in Indian judiciary. After completing his schooling at Modern School in New Delhi in 1977, he took mission in St. Stephen's College, affiliated with Delhi University, to pursue his gruation, which he completed in 1980. His legal journey began shortly after, as he was enrolled as an vocate with Bar Council of Delhi.

Journey So Far in Judiciary

Justice Khanna’s career in legal field took off when he became an vocate in Delhi in 1983. In 2005, he was appointed as an ditional judge of Delhi High Court, and by February 2006, he became a permanent judge. His expertise and contribution to law did t go unticed, and in January 2019, he was elevated to Supreme Court of India, where he became kwn 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 history of judiciary, including verdict on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. He also led bench that declared electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional. Justice Khanna is same judge who granted interim bail to n Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during 2024 Lok Sabha elections, allowing him to campaign. 

Or Role in Legal Services

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