New Delhi: Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Monday. President Draupadi Murmu administered the oath to him in a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and former CJI DY Chandrachud were also present at the swearing-in ceremony.
Took over the post after DY Chandrachud
Justice Sanjiv Khanna took over as CJI after former CJI DY Chandrachud retired from the Supreme Court on Sunday, November 10. In his farewell speech on his last working day on Friday, November 8, Justice DY Chandrachud expressed confidence in Justice Khanna’s future leadership, describing his successor as ‘dignified, steady and deeply committed to justice’.
Tenure will be till May 1, 2025
Former CJI DY Chandrachud had on October 17 recommended the name of Justice Sanjiv Khanna as his successor. Subsequently, the Center officially notified the appointment of Justice Khanna on October 24. CJI Sanjiv Khanna will complete a tenure of a little over 6 months and will retire on May 1, 2025.
Family related to advocacy profession
Hailing from a distinguished family of Delhi, Justice Khanna is the son of former Delhi High Court judge Justice Dev Raj Khanna and nephew of former Supreme Court judge H R Khanna. Judge Sanjiv Khanna was promoted as Supreme Court judge on 18 January 2019. He has been emphasizing on reducing the pending cases and expediting the delivery of justice.