The Union Government has officially announced the appointment of Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI). According to a notification issued by the Union Minister for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Justice Khanna will assume office on November 11, 2024, following the retirement of the current CJI, Justice DY Chandrachud.
“In exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India, Hon’ble President, after consultation with Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, as Chief Justice of India with effect from 11th November, 2024,” read the official notification.
Justice Khanna will serve as CJI for a term of nearly seven months, until May 13, 2025.
Notable Judicial Contributions of Justice Sanjiv Khanna
Justice Khanna, who was elevated to the Supreme Court from the Delhi High Court in January 2019, has been part of several landmark rulings that have significantly shaped Indian jurisprudence. Here are some of his most notable contributions:
- RTI Act Applicability to the Office of the CJI: In 2019, Justice Khanna delivered the lead judgment for a Constitution Bench ruling that the Right to Information (RTI) Act applies to the office of the Chief Justice of India, bringing more transparency to the judiciary.
- Amish Devgan v. Union of India: Justice Khanna’s judgment in this case stressed the importance of regulating hate speech in India, aiming to balance free speech with societal harmony.
- Central Vista Project: In 2021, Justice Khanna dissented from the majority opinion, asserting that procedural norms were not adhered to in the controversial Central Vista project, which involved redeveloping a key area in Delhi.
- Dissolution of Marriage on Grounds of Irretrievable Breakdown: Justice Khanna, writing on behalf of a Constitution Bench, ruled that the Supreme Court could dissolve marriages based on irretrievable breakdown, invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, which grants the apex court authority to deliver complete justice.
- Delhi Liquor Policy Case: Justice Khanna presided over several politically sensitive cases, including the bail applications of Aam Aadmi Party leaders in the Delhi liquor policy case. While denying bail to Manish Sisodia in 2023, his bench emphasized the need for an expedited trial.
- Interim Bail for Arvind Kejriwal: In a precedent-setting order in May 2023, Justice Khanna’s bench granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for election campaigning, showcasing his commitment to balancing legal standards with practical governance needs.
- Electoral Bonds and Article 370 Cases: Justice Khanna was also part of Constitution Bench decisions on high-profile cases, including the abrogation of Article 370 and the controversial Electoral Bonds scheme. In the Electoral Bonds case, Justice Khanna concurred with the majority but added a detailed opinion on how the anonymity of the scheme could violate constitutional rights.
- EVM-VVPAT Case: His bench addressed the issue of 100% VVPAT verification during elections, while ultimately rejecting the plea for complete verification. However, it directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to introduce further safeguards to ensure election integrity.
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Upcoming Challenges as CJI
As Justice Sanjiv Khanna steps into the role of Chief Justice, he is expected to continue addressing key legal issues of national importance, particularly those concerning constitutional rights, transparency, and governance. His judgments have consistently reflected a nuanced understanding of the law, and he has often leaned towards protecting fundamental rights while ensuring judicial transparency.
With his term as CJI set to last until May 2025, Justice Khanna is poised to leave a lasting impact on the judiciary, further cementing his legacy through significant judgments and judicial reforms.
Justice Khanna’s appointment has been welcomed across legal circles, with many recognizing his deep commitment to upholding the rule of law and judicial integrity. His elevation marks a continuation of India’s strong tradition of impartial and fearless judicial leadership.
For more updates on Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s upcoming tenure as Chief Justice of India and other legal developments, stay tuned.
