Justice Sanjiv Khanna has been sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) by President Droupadi Murmu at a brief ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.
The event was marked by the presence of several prominent figures, including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and other Union Cabinet ministers, along with retired judges, legal experts, and senior government officials.
Justice Khanna, who has previously served on the benches of both the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court, assumes office following the tenure of outgoing Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. Khanna’s legal journey has seen him involved in several landmark judgments, including the upholding of the abrogation of Article 370, as well as the bench that struck down the electoral bonds scheme passed by Parliament.
Taking the oath of office in English, Justice Khanna swore to uphold the Constitution of India and discharge his duties without fear, favour, affection, or ill-will. His appointment comes after a formal notification issued by the Government of India, confirming his appointment by President Murmu under Article 124 of the Constitution, effective November 11, 2024. Justice Khanna will serve a six-month term as CJI.
Born on May 14, 1960, Justice Khanna began his legal career in 1983 when he joined the Delhi Bar Council. Over the years, he has built a distinguished career with expertise in constitutional law, taxation, arbitration, commercial law, and environmental law. He also served as senior standing counsel for the Income Tax Department, representing the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The swearing-in ceremony was a blend of tradition and respect, with retired Chief Justices and judges attending, underscoring the collaborative nature of India’s judicial system. The presence of these legal luminaries highlighted the continuity and respect for the contributions made by former members of the judiciary.
The emotional farewell of the outgoing CJI, DY Chandrachud, on his last working day, added a personal touch to the proceedings. Reflecting on his tenure, he said, “There is no greater feeling than being able to serve those in need.”
In his heartfelt speech, Chandrachud recounted his journey from a law student to the Chief Justice of India, expressing gratitude for the opportunities he had to serve the nation.
As Justice Khanna takes the helm, the judiciary looks forward to his leadership and the legacy he will build in the coming months.
