Justice Sanjiv Khanna: New Chief Justice of India

Appointment Process and Timeline

• Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud recommends Justice Sanjiv Khanna as successor
• Recommendation sent to Union Law Ministry following protocol
• CJI Chandrachud retiring on November 10, 2024
• Justice Khanna to serve six-month tenure until May 13, 2025
• Will become India's 51st Chief Justice upon government approval
• Follows convention of appointing most senior Supreme Court judge as CJI

Professional Background and Career Milestones

• Born in May 1960, enrolled as advocate in 1983 with Delhi Bar Council
• Started practice at Delhi's Tis Hazari District Courts
• Served as Senior Standing Counsel for Income Tax Department
• Appointed as Standing Counsel (Civil) for Delhi NCT in 2004
• Elevated as Additional Judge of Delhi High Court in 2005
• Became permanent judge in 2006
• Appointed to Supreme Court in January 2019

Currently serves as:

• • Executive Chairman of National Legal Services Authority
  • Member of National Judicial Academy's Governing Council
  • Chairman of Supreme Court Legal Service Committee (June-December 2023)

Notable Judgments and Legal Contributions

Key Constitutional Bench Decisions:

• • Upheld Article 370 repeal in Jammu and Kashmir
  • Declared electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional
  • Ruled on marriage dissolution under Article 142

Significant Rulings:

• • Journalist FIR case: Balanced freedom of speech with right to life
  • Central Vista Project: Offered dissenting opinion
  • RTI Judgment: Balanced transparency with judicial independence
  • PMLA cases: Emphasized bail rights and legal procedures
  • EVM-VVPAT verification case: Upheld existing system
• Granted interim bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for election campaigning
• Ruled on Manish Sisodia's case regarding PMLA provisions