Justice Sanjiv Khanna, a senior judge of the Supreme Court of India, has been appointed as the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and will assume office on 11 November 2024. He will succeed the current Chief Justice, DY Chandrachud, who will demit office on 10 November.
The formal appointment was confirmed by the Union government following a recommendation by CJI Chandrachud, who proposed Justice Khanna as his successor last week.
Union Law Minister Arun Ram Meghwal announced the appointment via a post on social media platform X, stating that the Hon’ble President of India had approved the appointment after due consultation with the Chief Justice of India, in accordance with the powers conferred by the Constitution. Justice Khanna, currently the second-most senior judge of the Supreme Court, will become the 51st Chief Justice of India.
Born on 14 May 1960, Justice Khanna embarked on his legal career in 1983 after enrolling as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi. He initially practiced in the district courts at the Tis Hazari complex before moving to the Delhi High Court and various tribunals. His judicial career began in 2005 when he was appointed as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court, where he was made a permanent judge a year later.
In January 2019, Justice Khanna was elevated to the Supreme Court, marking the beginning of a significant phase in his career. Over the years, he has earned a reputation for his expertise in constitutional law and his balanced approach to key legal issues.
