Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) on November 11, 2024, in a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath. Key dignitaries, including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other Union Cabinet members, attended the event. Justice Khanna, who joined the Supreme Court in 2019, has contributed to significant rulings, such as upholding the abrogation of Article 370 and overturning the electoral bonds scheme.
Beginning his career in 1983 under the Delhi Bar Council, Justice Khanna has expertise in constitutional law, taxation, arbitration, and environmental law. His judicial experience includes appointments at the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, where he handled influential cases.
The ceremony highlighted respect for judicial continuity, with retired Chief Justices and legal figures in attendance. Justice Khanna succeeds former CJI DY Chandrachud, who reflected on his tenure in a heartfelt farewell. Justice Khanna will serve a six-month term, focusing on key national issues, as outlined by the government’s recent appointment notification under Article 124 of the Indian Constitution.
