Justice Sanjiv Khanna appointed as next Chief Justice of India

New Delhi, October 24, 2024 (TBB Bureau): In a significant move for the Indian judiciary, the Central Government has officially appointed Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI). This decision was confirmed through a notification from the Union Ministry of Law and Justice, which stated, “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Judge of the Supreme Court, to be the Chief Justice of India with effect from 11 November 2024.”

Justice Khanna’s appointment comes as the incumbent Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud prepares to retire on November 10 upon reaching the age of 65. Notably, CJI Chandrachud had earlier recommended Justice Khanna as his successor, highlighting the latter’s capabilities and experience.

As the 51st Chief Justice of India, Justice Khanna will serve a tenure of approximately six months, leading the Supreme Court and influencing key legal decisions during his time in office. Justice Khanna has held several prominent positions, including Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Service Committee, and is currently the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority. He also serves on the Governing Council of the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal.

Born in May 1960, Justice Khanna obtained his law degree from the Campus Law Centre, Delhi University, and was enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983. He has a rich background in law, primarily practicing in areas such as taxation, arbitration, commercial law, environmental law, medical negligence law, and company law in the Delhi High Court. His experience includes a long tenure as the Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department, and he was appointed as the Standing Counsel (Civil) for the Delhi government in 2004. Additionally, Justice Khanna has a diverse portfolio, having appeared in various criminal cases as an Additional Public Prosecutor and served as an amicus curiae (friend of the court) in numerous legal matters.