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Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud has formally recommended Justice Sanjiv Khanna as his successor, a proposal now awaiting approval by the Union government.
Chandrachud’s letter, addressed to the Union Law Ministry, follows a long-standing convention where the outgoing CJI names their successor. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the second-most senior judge of the Supreme Court, is expected to become the 51st Chief Justice of India after Chandrachud retires on November 10, 2024.
Once the government approves the appointment, Justice Khanna will have a brief tenure as the Chief Justice, holding office for just six months before his retirement on May 13, 2025.
This transition comes as part of the regular process of leadership change in the judiciary, with the government’s request for Chandrachud to nominate his successor in line with established norms.
Justice Khanna began his legal career after enrolling with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983. His practice initially revolved around the district courts at the Tis Hazari complex, after which he shifted to the Delhi High Court, where he handled several notable criminal cases as an Additional Public Prosecutor.
He also served as Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department and later, as Standing Counsel (Civil) for the National Capital Territory of Delhi in 2004.
In 2005, Khanna was elevated to the Delhi High Court as an Additional Judge and made a permanent judge in 2006. During his tenure he also held the positions of Chairman of the Delhi Judicial Academy and the Delhi International Arbitration Centre.
Khanna’s elevation to the Supreme Court in January 2019 was a rare occurrence in the judicial hierarchy. He ascended to the top court without serving as a Chief Justice of any High Court. There are only a few who are elevated to the Supreme Court even before becoming a Chief Justice of any High Court.
Khanna was part of the three-judge bench in the case involving petitions challenging the clearance of the Central Vista redevelopment project, where he delivered a dissenting opinion.
Khanna was involved in several other controversial Constitutional Bench rulings, such as upholding the abrogation of Article 370 and striking down the 2018 electoral bonds scheme.
Justice Khanna has also held significant administrative positions, such as Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee and Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority.
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