A closer look at Justice Sanjiv Khanna's landmark rulings as he takes oath as 51st CJI

Justice Sanjiv Khanna assumed office as the 51st Chief Justice of India on Monday, following Justice DY Chandrachud's tenure.

- ANWESHA SANTRA

The oath of office was administered by President Droupadi Murmu in a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Appointed to the Supreme Court on 18 January 2019, Justice Khanna will serve as Chief Justice for just over six months, retiring on 13 May 2025. Notably, he is among the few judges to ascend to the Supreme Court without first serving as a High Court Chief Justice. Justice Khanna was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of India on 18 January 2019.

CJI Sanjiv Khanna began his legal career as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983. He initially practiced at the district courts in the Tis Hazari complex before moving to the Delhi High Court and tribunals. He served as the senior standing counsel for the Income Tax Department for an extended period and was appointed standing counsel (Civil) for the National Capital Territory of Delhi in 2004. Justice Khanna also represented numerous criminal cases at the Delhi High Court as an additional public prosecutor and amicus curiae. In 2005, he was appointed as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court and became a permanent judge in 2006. During his tenure at the Delhi High Court, Justice Khanna also held key roles, including chairman of the Delhi Judicial Academy, judge-in-charge of the Delhi International Arbitration Centre and chair of the District Court Mediation Centres. From 17 June to 25 December 2023, Justice Khanna chaired the Supreme Court Legal Service Committee and is currently the executive chairman of the National Legal Services Authority. He is also a member of the Governing Council of the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal.