In a significant development for the Indian judiciary, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the second most senior Supreme Court judge, is poised to become the next Chief Justice of India. This follows the established convention where the outgoing Chief Justice of India (CJI) recommends their successor to the government.
Justice DY Chandrachud, the current CJI, has formally proposed Justice Khanna to the Centre as his successor, according to a report by ANI. Justice Chandrachud, whose term ends on November 10th, has served as CJI since November 9th, 2022.
If approved by the government, Justice Khanna will assume the prestigious position as the 51st CJI on May 13th, 2025, for a term of six months, before his own retirement. As per established norms, SC judges retire at the age of 65.
A Glimpse into Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s Journey:
Born on May 14th, 1960, Justice Khanna was elevated to the Supreme Court on January 18th, 2019. His journey began as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983. He honed his skills at the district courts in Tis Hazari before moving on to the Delhi High Court and various tribunals.
Justice Khanna served as the Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax (I-T) Department for an extended period. In 2004, he was appointed the Standing Counsel (Civil) for the National Capital Territory of Delhi. He also gained experience as an Additional Public Prosecutor and an amicus curiae in several criminal cases at the Delhi High Court.
His rise through the ranks continued with his elevation as an additional Judge of the Delhi High Court in 2005, becoming a permanent judge the following year. During his time at the Delhi High Court, Justice Khanna held leadership roles as Chairman/Judge-in-charge of the Delhi Judicial Academy, the Delhi International Arbitration Centre, and the District Court Mediation Centres.
Landmark Judgments and Contributions:
Since becoming a Supreme Court judge, Justice Khanna has been involved in several crucial rulings. Notably, in 2023, while presiding over a case concerning a journalist’s remarks on a TV show, Justice Khanna emphasized the importance of balancing the right to free speech (Article 19) with the right to privacy (Article 21). The bench, led by Justice Khanna, stated that “If one asserts their right to speech, others have the right to listen or not listen,” and ultimately quashed the FIR.
Justice Khanna was also a part of the Constitution Bench decisions, including the December 2023 ruling that upheld the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, and the February 2024 decision that struck down the government’s 2018 electoral bonds scheme.
Justice Khanna’s appointment as the next CJI holds significance as he will be leading the Supreme Court during a period of significant legal and societal developments. His experience, dedication, and understanding of the law are expected to guide the court in navigating complex legal issues and upholding the principles of justice.