In a significant development, Justice Sanjiv Khanna has been appointed the next Chief Justice of India (CJI) by President Droupadi Murmu. He will take the oath of office on November 11, 2024, following the retirement of the current CJI, Justice DY Chandrachud. The announcement was made by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal through a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Official Announcement
The Union Law Minister confirmed Justice Khanna’s appointment with a formal statement. “In exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India, Hon’ble President, after consultation with Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Judge of the Supreme Court of India as Chief Justice of India with effect from 11th November, 2024,” Meghwal stated.
Legal Journey and Key Judgments
Justice Sanjiv Khanna was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019, following his distinguished tenure at the Delhi High Court. His judicial career has been marked by several landmark rulings, contributing significantly to India’s legal landscape.
Among his key judgments, Justice Khanna was part of the Constitution Bench that struck down the controversial Electoral Bonds scheme, which allowed anonymous donations to political parties. He also played a crucial role in upholding the scrapping of Article 370, a historic decision that revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
Interim Bail for Arvind Kejriwal
In July 2024, Justice Khanna headed a bench that granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the high-profile money laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor policy scandal. This decision, like many others, showcased his sharp judicial acumen and fairness in the application of the law.
Tenure and Retirement
Justice Khanna’s tenure as the Chief Justice of India will be relatively short, as he is due to retire on May 13, 2025. Despite this, his contributions to the judiciary are expected to leave a lasting impact on India’s legal system.
As the nation anticipates his leadership in the highest judicial office, Justice Khanna’s appointment comes at a crucial time for the judiciary, with expectations of continuing reforms and significant rulings ahead.
