Sanjiv Khanna Appointed as India 51st Chief Justice

Sanjiv Khanna was named India's 51st Chief Justice (CJI). On November 11, 2024, he is scheduled to take the oath of office. The incumbent Chief Justice, D Y Chandrachud, will retire on November 10, 2024, when he is 65. This appointment comes after his retirement.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna is a Judge in the Supreme Court of India

• Justice Sanjiv Khanna, a Supreme Court judge, has been appointed as the Chief Justice of India (CJI) under the Constitution of India.
• His judicial career includes many a milestone for Indian jurisprudence, and landmark judgement.
• Justice D Y Chandrachud, who was the CJI from November 8, 2022; will retire upon reaching the age of 65.
• Justice Khanna will be there for a little more than six months, till May 13, 2025.
• The President of India appoints the successor (after consultation with the outgoing Chief Justice).
• The CJI is in charge of presiding over court matters and appointments to the Supreme Court as well as the High Courts.
• The appointment implies continuity and consistency within the judiciary, which shapes the direction of doctrinal interpretations and judicial precedents.
• These two contrasting public and political views of the appointment paint both an optimistic outlook towards Justice Khanna's judicial leadership, as well as a critical eye on how he will approach these challenges in court going forward.