Justice Sanjiv Khanna appointed next CJI, will enter office Nov 11

• 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.

Highlights:

• President Droupadi Murmu appointed Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI). Justice Khanna, set to take oath on November 11, 2024, will succeed Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who retires on November 10.

Short Tenure as Chief Justice:

• Justice Khanna will have a brief tenure of just six months, with retirement slated for March 13, 2025. His appointment was confirmed by a government notification, stating the decision was made under Article 124(2) of the Constitution.

Legal Background and Early Career

Education and Legal Practice:

• A graduate from Delhi University’s Campus Law Centre, Justice Khanna enrolled as an advocate in 1983, focusing on Delhi High Court practice. He served as Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department and represented the Delhi government in civil matters before becoming a judge in the Delhi High Court in 2005.

Family Legacy in Law:

• Justice Khanna's father, Dev Raj Khanna, was a Delhi High Court judge, and his uncle, Hans Raj Khanna, was a prominent Supreme Court judge known for his principled stance during India’s Emergency period. Notably, Justice Sanjiv Khanna now presides in the same Supreme Court room where his uncle’s portrait hangs.

Judicial Career and Notable Rulings

Supreme Court Appointment:

• Elevated to the Supreme Court in January 2019, Justice Khanna’s promotion bypassed other senior Delhi High Court judges. Despite not serving as a Chief Justice of a High Court, the Supreme Court Collegium selected him over other nominees, marking a significant step in his career.

Key Judgments:

• In his six years on the Supreme Court, Justice Khanna has contributed to several landmark rulings:
• Electoral Bond Scheme (2023) – Part of the Constitution Bench that struck down the scheme as unconstitutional.
• Abrogation of Article 370 (2023) – Ruled in favor of upholding the abrogation.
• Divorce Powers under Article 142 – Authored a ruling affirming the Supreme Court's authority to grant divorce due to “irretrievable breakdown of marriage.”

Personal Characteristics and Current Role:

• Known for his reserved demeanor, Justice Khanna has built a judicial career spanning nearly two decades, primarily based in Delhi. His role as Chief Justice will be his first major administrative position, though he has served as Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority, underscoring his commitment to judicial services and accessibility.

Prelims Takeaways:

• Article 124 of the Constitution of India