Justice Sanjiv Khanna takes oath as 51st CJI

New Delhi, Nov 11: Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) at a ceremony held in the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. The ceremony took place in the Ganatantra Mandap, where he made and subscribed to the oath of office before the President of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event and conveyed his best wishes for Justice Khanna's tenure, posting on microblogging site X: “Attended the oath-taking ceremony of Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who has been sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India. My best wishes for his tenure.”

Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s appointment as the Chief Justice marks a continuation of his family's legacy in the Indian legal system.

He hails from a prominent legal family in Delhi.

His father, Justice Dev Raj Khanna, was a respected judge at the Delhi High Court, while his uncle, Justice H R Khanna, is revered for his historic dissenting judgment during the Emergency in the 1970s, which is often celebrated as a testament to judicial independence and integrity.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s career is marked by a series of high-profile rulings that have significantly impacted Indian society.

Before his elevation to the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019, he served as a judge at the Delhi High Court.

Justice Khanna has been a part of several landmark rulings during his tenure at the Supreme Court, demonstrating a strong stance on issues ranging from electoral reforms to civil liberties.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s appointment as Chief Justice comes at a critical time for India’s judiciary, which has been navigating a series of challenges, including increasing pendency of cases, debates over judicial reforms, and the need for greater transparency in judicial appointments.