Justice Sanjiv Khanna sworn in as 51st Chief Justice of India

Justice Sanjiv Khanna sworn in as 51st Chief Justice of India. He was sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu during a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan and will serve a tenure of nearly seven months, until May 13, 2025. Justice Khanna was appointed to the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019, after serving as a judge on the Delhi High Court. His tenure as Chief Justice comes after a distinguished judicial career marked by several significant rulings and contributions.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna has officially taken office as the 51st Chief Justice of India, succeeding Justice DY Chandrachud. He was sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu during a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan and will serve a tenure of nearly seven months, until May 13, 2025. Justice Khanna was appointed to the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019, after serving as a judge on the Delhi High Court. His tenure as Chief Justice comes after a distinguished judicial career marked by several significant rulings and contributions.

Key Judgments and Contributions:

• Sexual Harassment Allegations (2019): Justice Khanna was part of the bench that took suo motu cognizance of media reports on sexual harassment allegations against then Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, signaling a proactive approach to addressing serious claims within the judiciary.
• RTI Act and the Office of the CJI (2019): He delivered the lead judgment on behalf of the Constitution Bench that ruled the Right to Information (RTI) Act is applicable to the office of the Chief Justice of India, reinforcing transparency within the judiciary.
• Hate Speech Regulation (2020: In Amish Devgan v. Union of India, Justice Khanna emphasized the need for stronger regulation of hate speech, underscoring the importance of protecting public order and communal harmony.
• Dissent on Central Vista (2021): Justice Khanna dissented in the Central Vista project case, arguing that necessary processes were not followed in the approval of the redevelopment project, highlighting his cautious approach to governmental projects with significant public impact.
• Marriage and Irretrievable Breakdown (2021): Justice Khanna penned a judgment stating that an irretrievable marriage breakdown could be grounds for dissolving a marriage under Article 142 of the Constitution, contributing to legal developments in family law.
• High-Profile Bail Matters (2023): Justice Khanna’s bench dealt with the bail applications of Delhi politicians Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Sanjay Singh in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. While refusing bail to Sisodia, the bench ensured the trial proceeded expeditiously. In the case of Sanjay Singh, the Enforcement Directorate conceded bail after facing pointed questions from the bench.
• Interim Bail for Arvind Kejriwal (2023): Justice Khanna’s bench allowed interim bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for election campaigning purposes, showcasing a balanced approach in politically sensitive matters. In another case, the bench examined whether additional grounds should be included in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to prevent its misuse.
• EVM and VVPAT Safeguards (2023): Justice Khanna's bench addressed concerns regarding the transparency of electoral processes, ruling against a 100% VVPAT verification but directing the Election Commission of India (ECI) to introduce more safeguards to enhance trust in the system.
• Constitution Bench Contributions: Justice Khanna has been a key member of several important Constitution Bench decisions, including those relating to the abrogation of Article 370 (regarding Jammu & Kashmir) and the legality of Electoral Bonds, where he provided a separate but concurring opinion highlighting concerns about anonymity undermining constitutional rights.

Justice Khanna’s tenure as Chief Justice will continue shaping judicial discourse with his focus on transparency, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights. His proactive stance in handling politically sensitive issues and ensuring judicial integrity will define his leadership of the apex court.