Chief Justice of India Justice DY Chandrachud has recommended the appointment of Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the most senior judge of the Supreme Court, as his successor.
The government had written to the outgoing Chief Justice last Friday, asking him to send his recommendation as per the Memorandum of Procedure. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud will retire on November 8 after completing a two-year term.
Upon approval by the government, Justice Khanna will become the 51st Chief Justice of India. He is set to serve a tenure of six months, concluding on May 13, 2025, before his retirement.
Justice Khanna, a prominent figure in the Indian judiciary, has made significant contributions since his enrolment as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983. Beginning his legal career at the Tis Hazari district courts, he quickly advanced to the Delhi High Court and various tribunals, showcasing his expertise and dedication.
In 2005, Justice Khanna was elevated to the position of additional judge at the Delhi High Court, becoming a permanent judge the following year. Throughout his tenure, he played a pivotal role in shaping the judicial landscape, serving as the Chairman and Judge-in-charge of several key institutions, including the Delhi Judicial Academy, the Delhi International Arbitration Centre, and the District Court Mediation Centres.
On January 18, 2019, Justice Khanna was elevated to the Supreme Court, making him one of the few judges to achieve this milestone without first serving as Chief Justice of any High Court.
IMPORTANT RULINGS
One of his notable rulings allowed former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to receive interim bail, enabling him to campaign during the Lok Sabha elections.
Justice Khanna also played a key role in a critical ruling concerning former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. He emphasised that delays in legal proceedings could serve as a valid reason for granting bail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
In another significant case, Justice Khanna led a bench that denied a request for 100% verification of votes cast on electronic voting machines (EVMs) using Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs). The April 2024 judgement recognised the measures implemented by the Election Commission of India to ensure election accuracy and integrity, affirming that EVMs facilitate efficient and secure vote counting.
Additionally, Justice Khanna was part of a five-judge bench that recently declared the electoral bond scheme unconstitutional. The bench concluded that anonymous donations through these bonds infringe upon the public's right to information, which is essential for informed voting.
Moreover, he supported the upholding of the abrogation of Article 370, stating that while it represented a unique aspect of India’s federal structure, it did not grant sovereignty to Jammu and Kashmir.
