Who is Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Set to Be Next Chief Justice of India?

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has named Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the second senior-most judge in the Supreme Court as his successor in a letter to the Union Law Ministry.

The letter follows the customary practice in which the retiring Chief Justice of India nominates the second-most senior judge as their successor, a choice that requires approval from the Union government.

Chandrachud is set to retire on November 11 and Justice Khanna will take over after the government's approval. Chandrachud assumed the role of Chief Justice of India on November 9, 2022, with his term concluding on November 10.

Earlier, speaking during an event in Bhutan on October 9, Chandrachud expressed that he is deeply preoccupied with worries about both the future and the past. However, he later stated that he had accomplished everything he intended and consistently gave his best.

If the government approves Chandrachud's suggestion, Justice Khanna will become the 51st Chief Justice of India, serving a tenure of six months, ending on May 13, 2025, ahead of his retirement.

Who is Justice Sanjeev Khanna?

Born on 14 May 1960, Khanna is a known figure in the Indian judiciary.  Kahnna completed his schooling from Modern School 
in New Delhi in 1977 and graduated from St Stephens in 1980.

His career in the field of law began after he as an Advocate in the Bar Council of Delhi in the year 1983.

In 2005, Khanna was elevated as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court and made permanent on 20 February 2006.

In January 2019, Khanna was elevated as a judge in the Supreme Court of India.

During his career, Justice Khanna has contributed to several landmark rulings, particularly those concerning the Right to Information (RTI) and freedom of speech. He also holds the position of ex officio Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), an organisation dedicated to providing free legal services to the underprivileged.