Justice Sanjiv Khanna Sworn in as 51st Chief Justice of India
New Delhi, 11th November 2024: Justice Sanjiv Khanna, known for his involvement in several landmark Supreme Court rulings such as striking down the electoral bonds scheme and supporting the abrogation of Article 370, was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India on Monday. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He succeeds Justice DY Chandrachud, who retired on Sunday. The oath-taking ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and former Chief Justice Chandrachud.
Justice Khanna’s tenure will extend until May 13, 2025. His appointment was officially announced by the government on October 24, following a recommendation by Justice Chandrachud on October 16. Justice Chandrachud was given a heartfelt farewell on November 8 by fellow judges, lawyers, and staff.
Justice Khanna, a former judge of the Delhi High Court, was appointed to the Supreme Court in January 2019. He has been involved in pivotal cases, including the defence of electronic voting machines (EVMs), the invalidation of the electoral bonds scheme, the abrogation of Article 370, and granting interim bail to former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
Born on May 14, 1960, into a legal family, Justice Khanna is the son of former Delhi High Court Judge Justice Dev Raj Khanna and the nephew of the renowned former Supreme Court Judge HR Khanna. Before his appointment to the Supreme Court, he had an extensive legal career, including roles as senior standing counsel for the Income Tax Department and standing counsel for the NCT of Delhi.
Justice Khanna’s uncle, Justice HR Khanna, famously dissented in the 1976 ADM Jabalpur case, declaring the suspension of fundamental rights during the Emergency unconstitutional, a position that cost him the Chief Justice post. Justice HR Khanna was also a key figure in establishing the basic structure doctrine in the 1973 Kesavananda Bharati case.
Among Justice Khanna’s significant rulings is his support for EVMs, emphasizing their role in preventing booth capturing and fraudulent voting. In 2024, he dismissed concerns about EVM tampering, affirming their integrity. Additionally, Justice Khanna was part of the bench that deemed the electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional and upheld the 2019 revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. He also led the bench that granted interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal to allow him to campaign in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections during an excise policy investigation.
Justice Khanna studied law at Delhi University’s Campus Law Centre and has held several prominent roles, including executive chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and practising with the Delhi Bar Council since 1983. He has also served as an additional public prosecutor and amicus curiae in criminal cases at the Delhi High Court.
