Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud has proposed Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, as his successor. This recommendation was made in response to a government request for a nomination, following the Memorandum of Procedure. Justice Chandrachud will retire on November 8, marking the end of his two-year term as Chief Justice.
If approved, Justice Sanjiv Khanna will assume the role of the 51st Chief Justice of India, serving a six-month term that will conclude upon his retirement on May 13, 2025.
Justice Khanna’s Judicial Career
A highly respected figure in the Indian judiciary, Justice Khanna began his legal journey in 1983 when he enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi. He built his career in the Tis Hazari district courts, Delhi High Court, and various tribunals. His consistent dedication and legal expertise led to his appointment as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court in 2005, and he was confirmed as a permanent judge in 2006.
Justice Khanna has held key positions, including serving as the Chairman and Judge-in-charge of the Delhi Judicial Academy, Delhi International Arbitration Centre, and District Court Mediation Centres.
In 2019, Justice Khanna was elevated directly to the Supreme Court without first serving as Chief Justice of a High Court, a rare distinction in Indian judicial appointments.
Landmark Judgments by Justice Khanna
Justice Khanna’s rulings have had a significant impact on Indian law and society. Among his important decisions:
- He granted interim bail to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, allowing him to campaign during the Lok Sabha elections.
- In a key ruling for former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Justice Khanna emphasized that delays in legal proceedings could justify granting bail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
- He was part of the bench that rejected a plea for 100% verification of votes cast on electronic voting machines (EVMs) using Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs). His ruling supported the Election Commission’s efforts to ensure transparency and integrity in India’s electoral process.
- Justice Khanna was also part of a five-judge bench that recently declared the electoral bond scheme unconstitutional, stating that anonymous political donations compromise the public’s right to information.
- He upheld the abrogation of Article 370, clarifying that while it acknowledged Jammu and Kashmir’s unique federal status, it did not grant sovereignty to the state.
