Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has officially nominated Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the Supreme Court’s second-most senior judge, as his successor. This announcement was made in a letter addressed to the Union law ministry, following the traditional practice where the retiring Chief Justice recommends the next in line, subject to the Union government’s approval. DY Chandrachud, who became Chief Justice on November 9, 2022, will conclude his term on November 10, as Supreme Court judges retire at the age of 65.
During an event in Bhutan on October 9, Chandrachud shared his thoughts about his upcoming retirement, expressing concerns about his legacy and the impact of his tenure. He revealed, “Pardon me for being a little vulnerable. I will be demitting office as the Chief Justice of India in November this year, after having served my country for two years. As my tenure is coming to an end, my mind has been heavily preoccupied with fears and anxieties about the future and the past. I find myself pondering over questions such as: Did I achieve everything I set out to do? How will history judge my tenure? Could I have done things differently? What legacy will I leave for future generations of judges and legal professionals?”
Despite his worries, he found comfort in knowing that he consistently put forth his best efforts during his time in office.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna began his legal career by enrolling as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983. He initially practiced at the district courts in the Tis Hazari complex, later moving to the Delhi High Court and various tribunals. Over the years, he held significant roles, including Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department and Standing Counsel (Civil) for the National Capital Territory of Delhi starting in 2004. He also served as an Additional Public Prosecutor and an amicus curiae in criminal cases at the Delhi High Court.
In 2005, Justice Khanna was appointed as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court, later becoming a permanent judge in 2006. He has also held key positions such as Chairman/Judge-in-charge of the Delhi Judicial Academy, the Delhi International Arbitration Centre, and the District Court Mediation Centres.
On January 18, 2019, he was elevated to the Supreme Court, making history by doing so before having served as Chief Justice of any High Court. Currently, he is the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority and a member of the Governing Council of the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal.
Justice Khanna has been involved in significant legal decisions. In a case concerning a journalist’s remarks during a TV show, he stated that “Article 19(1)(a) cannot be used for defeating the fundamental right guaranteed by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.” He was also part of the bench that cleared the controversial Central Vista Project and took part in Constitutional benches that upheld the abrogation of Article 370 and struck down the electoral bonds scheme.
