November 11, 2024: Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Monday, succeeding Justice DY Chandrachud. The oath was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Justice Khanna’s appointment was officially notified on October 24, following a recommendation made by Justice Chandrachud on October 16. Justice Chandrachud, who had led the Supreme Court for the past few years, retired on Friday, marking the end of his term as CJI. On his last working day, Justice Chandrachud received a warm and heartfelt farewell from judges, lawyers, and court staff, reflecting his esteemed tenure at the helm of India's judiciary.

At 64 years of age, Justice Khanna's tenure as Chief Justice is set to last six months, with his retirement scheduled for May 13, 2025. Despite the relatively short duration of his term, Justice Khanna is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the judicial landscape of India during his time in office.

A seasoned jurist, Justice Khanna has been part of several landmark rulings. Among his most notable judgments are the striking down of the controversial electoral bonds scheme and upholding the constitutional validity of the abrogation of Article 370, which led to the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. Justice Khanna was also involved in significant cases related to electronic voting machines (EVMs) and has been instrumental in advancing the use of technology in elections.

In addition to his judicial contributions, Justice Khanna’s bench made headlines when it granted interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi Chief Minister, in connection with the excise policy scam, enabling him to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections.

Born into a distinguished family of jurists, Justice Khanna's legacy in the legal world is tied to his father, Justice Dev Raj Khanna, a former Delhi High Court judge, and his uncle, Justice HR Khanna, a former Supreme Court judge renowned for his principled dissent during the 1976 Emergency era, most notably in the ADM Jabalpur case.

Justice Khanna began his legal career in 1983, enrolling as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi. He initially practiced in the district courts of Tis Hazari, later advancing to the Delhi High Court and various tribunals. He served as the Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department and later took on the role of Standing Counsel (Civil) for the National Capital Territory of Delhi in 2004.

With a rich judicial background and a reputation for integrity, Justice Khanna's appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the country's highest court, as he assumes leadership at a critical juncture in India's legal history.