In a significant judiciary announcement today, Justice Sanjiv Khanna has been appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India. He will officially take the oath of office on November 11, 2024, succeeding the current Chief Justice, DY Chandrachud, who will retire on November 10.
Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal made the official announcement, stating, “In exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India, the Honorable President, after consultation with the Honorable Chief Justice of India, is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, as Chief Justice of India effective November 11, 2024.”
Justice Khanna’s appointment comes after the recommendation from CJI DY Chandrachud, who has served since November 8, 2022. Justice Khanna, currently the second-most senior judge of the Supreme Court, will have a tenure of just over six months and is slated to retire on May 13, 2025.
Career and Contributions of Justice Sanjiv Khanna
Justice Khanna began his legal career as an advocate in 1983, with practices spanning the district courts at Tis Hazari and later the High Court of Delhi and various tribunals. Over his distinguished career, he has also served as the Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department and the Standing Counsel (Civil) for the National Capital Territory of Delhi starting in 2004.
His role extended to appearing as an Additional Public Prosecutor and an amicus curiae in criminal cases at the Delhi High Court. His judicial career in the higher echelons began with his appointment as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court in 2005, becoming a permanent judge the following year. His elevation to a Judge of the Supreme Court came on January 18, 2019.
