New Delhi: Justice Sanjiv Khanna took oath as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) here on Monday.
President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to Khanna in a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Several dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and CJI DY Chandrachud, who demitted office on November 10, were present during the ceremony.
Justice Khanna will serve as the CJI for almost six months till May 13, 2025.
The Centre had announced Justice Khanna’s appointment as the next CJI on October 24, 2024, a week after the then CJI DY Chandrachud formally recommended him as his successor.
Soon after Justice Khanna took oath, the Supreme Court website posted his profile as CJI and relegated Justice D Y Chandrachud to the pages reflecting profiles of former CJIs.
Justice Khanna was enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983 and started his practice in the Tis Hazari district courts of Delhi before advancing to the Delhi High Court in 2005.
He served as senior standing counsel for the Income Tax Department and as standing counsel for the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
After being elevated to the Delhi High Court, he became a permanent judge in 2006.
Justice Khanna ascended to the Supreme Court in January 2019 without serving as a chief justice of any high court.
He studied law at the Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. After graduating, he enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983.
Justice Khanna is the son of former Delhi High Court judge Justice Dev Raj Khanna and the nephew of prominent former Supreme Court judge H R Khanna.
Justice HR Khanna made headlines in 1976 for resigning after delivering a dissenting verdict in the infamous ADM Jabalpur case during the Emergency.
Justice Khanna has been part of several landmark judgements, including the electoral bonds case, the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, and more.
During his tenure as CJI, the Supreme Court is likely to take up the ongoing cases of marital rape in which the issue of whether marital rape should be criminalised has to be considered.
Another challenge before CJI Khanna is to look into the validity of the Aadhar Act and the amendments to be made to the Money Laundering Law (PMLA) via Money Bill.
Interestingly, Justice Khanna ascended to the Supreme Court in January 2019 without serving as a chief justice of any high court.
Justice Khanna was elevated to the Supreme Court from the Delhi High Court on January 18, 2019.
During his farewell party on Friday, outgoing CJI Justice Chandrachud praised Justice Khanna for his capabilities and said that there have been great judges who have adorned this court and passed on this baton.
It will make no difference when I leave this court because I trust the capability of Justice Khanna. He is so dignified that he will take over and run the court smoothly, Justice Chandrachud said.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna has officially assumed office as the Chief Justice of India, succeeding Justice DY Chandrachud. He is the 51st Chief Justice of India. The Supreme Court website displays Justice Sanjiv Khanna as CJI.
UNI/SNG
