Justice Sanjiv Khanna, appointed as the Chief Justice of India, brings with him a rich legacy and extensive experience in the legal field. Born on May 14, 1960, into a distinguished family with deep roots in law, Justice Khanna’s father, Justice Dev Raj Khanna, served on the Delhi High Court, and his uncle, Justice Hans Raj Khanna, is celebrated for his landmark dissent in the 1976 "Habeas Corpus case," which challenged government overreach during India’s Emergency period.
Education and practices
Justice Khanna completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Delhi in 1980 and later pursued his law degree at the Campus Law Centre at the same university. He enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983, starting his career as an advocate. Initially, he practiced in the District Courts at Tis Hazari, eventually moving to the Delhi High Court, where his work spanned areas such as public law, tax appeals, arbitration, and medical negligence cases. His role extended to public service as an Additional Public Prosecutor for the Government of Delhi and a Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department, where he served for seven years.
Career and rulings
In 2005, Justice Khanna was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court and became a Permanent Judge the following year. Unusually, he was elevated to the Supreme Court in January 2019 directly from the Delhi High Court, bypassing the typical step of serving as a Chief Justice of a High Court. Only six judges have made this direct transition since 1997, sparking some debate. Nonetheless, the five-member Supreme Court collegium, led by then-Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, endorsed his elevation based on his contributions to the judiciary.
Since joining the Supreme Court, Justice Khanna has delivered several impactful rulings. In a prominent decision on electoral bonds, he underscored the "Right to know" as essential for maintaining transparency in elections, declaring anonymous electoral bonds unconstitutional. Justice Khanna has also made significant contributions to constitutional matters, such as upholding the abrogation of Article 370 and clarifying issues surrounding unstamped arbitration agreements.
Justice Khanna is set to retire on May 13, 2025. With his seniority, he assumed the role of the 51st Chief Justice of India in November 2024, marking a seven-month term. His appointment and career reflect a commitment to legal integrity, public accountability, and judicial independence that continues to shape India’s legal landscape.
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