Key Points
- Justice Sanjiv Khanna will be sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India.
- He takes over from Justice DY Chandrachud, who retired on November 10, 2024.
- Khanna joined the Supreme Court in January 2019.
- He previously served as the executive chairman of the National Legal Service Authority (NALSA).
- Khanna will serve as Chief Justice until May 13, 2025.
- He has handled several high-profile cases, including those involving Arvind Kejriwal.
Looma News
Justice Sanjiv Khanna will take the oath of office today as the 51st Chief Justice of India. He succeeds Justice DY Chandrachud, who retired on November 10, 2024. Khanna, born on May 14, 1960, studied law at Delhi University’s Campus Law Centre. Before becoming a Supreme Court judge in January 2019, he served at the Delhi High Court and as the executive chairman of the National Legal Service Authority (NALSA).
Throughout his time at the Supreme Court, Justice Khanna has been involved in several significant cases. He was in charge of the bench that heard bail applications for Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the high-profile liquor policy case. In May 2024, his bench granted Kejriwal interim bail, allowing him to campaign during the Lok Sabha elections. The case was later referred to a larger bench, and in July, Kejriwal was granted bail again, with the bench examining further reasons for his arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to prevent any misuse of the law.
Justice Khanna has also been involved in key constitutional cases, such as those related to the removal of Article 370 and the issue of electoral bonds. Additionally, his bench addressed important questions regarding electronic voting machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs).
Justice Khanna’s term as Chief Justice will run until May 13, 2025, during which he is expected to continue to play a key role in shaping the legal landscape of India.
