Justice Sanjiv Khanna Takes Oath as India's 51st Chief Justice

A Historic Morning at Rashtrapati Bhavan

In a solemn ceremony this morning, President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Justice Sanjiv Khanna as India's new Chief Justice. The five-minute ceremony saw attendance from top government officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, marking a significant moment in India's judicial history. 

Family Legacy and Professional Journey

Justice Khanna's appointment carries special significance given his family's judicial legacy. He is the nephew of Justice HR Khanna, remembered for his brave dissent during the Emergency period. Starting his career in 1983 at Delhi's Tis Hazari Courts, Justice Khanna has worked his way up through various legal fields, including constitutional law, taxation, and environmental law.

Key Priorities and Challenges Ahead

The new Chief Justice faces several challenges during his six-month tenure, which ends on May 13, 2025. His main focus will be on reducing the massive backlog of cases in Indian courts and making justice delivery faster. Justice Khanna brings valuable experience from his time as Chairman of the Delhi Judicial Academy and his involvement with the National Legal Services Authority.

Notable Judgments and Expertise

Justice Khanna has been part of several landmark decisions, including verdicts on Article 370 and the electoral bonds scheme. His expertise in taxation matters and his recent decision granting interim bail to former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal demonstrate his balanced approach to justice.