Justice Sanjeev Khanna Appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India, Effective November 11

Justice Sanjeev Khanna Appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India, Effective November 11

The Central Government of India has announced Justice Sanjeev Khanna as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI), with his term starting on November 11, 2024. Justice Khanna, who succeeds the retiring CJI Justice DY Chandrachud, will become the 51st Chief Justice of India and is set to serve a six-month term until May 2025.

Official Notification of Appointment

The Ministry of Law and Justice released a formal notification confirming Justice Khanna's appointment under Clause (2) of Article 124 of the Indian Constitution, granting the President authority to appoint the Chief Justice of India in consultation with the current CJI. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal shared the news, emphasizing Justice Khanna’s appointment as effective November 11, 2024.

Justice Sanjeev Khanna’s Judicial Journey and Landmark Judgments

Born on May 14, 1960, Justice Khanna has served with dedication in multiple areas of law, including constitutional law, taxation, arbitration, commercial law, and environmental law. His career is marked by significant judgments that demonstrate his commitment to justice and constitutional values. Some notable judgments include:

1. Anuradha Bhasin vs Union of India (2020)

Justice Khanna was on the bench that ruled on the internet restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370. He emphasized that internet access is integral to freedom of speech and expression and freedom of trade under Article 19 of the Constitution. The judgment mandated the government to review internet restrictions and introduced the doctrine of proportionality, ensuring that restrictions on fundamental rights are necessary and reasonable.

2. Right to Privacy in Puttaswamy Case (2017)  

Although not a part of the original bench, Justice Khanna has consistently supported privacy as a fundamental right. He referenced the Puttaswamy judgment in subsequent rulings, underscoring that privacy is a core component of individual liberty and a constitutional safeguard against state overreach. His views have impacted subsequent privacy cases, including those related to surveillance and personal data.

3. Rajesh Sharma vs State of Uttar Pradesh (2022)

Justice Khanna was instrumental in reviewing misuse claims related to Section 498A of the IPC (dowry harassment). The bench introduced measures to prevent false allegations while protecting genuine victims, balancing women’s rights with fair trial standards.

4. Essar House Pvt Ltd vs ArcellorMittal (2022)

In this case, Justice Khanna authored a significant judgment on arbitration and corporate dispute resolution. He clarified that the role of arbitrators is to ensure fair dispute resolution while avoiding excessive intervention by courts, thus promoting arbitration as a reliable, time-efficient dispute resolution method.

5. Environmental Protection in Sterlite Copper Plant Case (2021)  

 Justice Khanna has been vocal on environmental matters, as seen in his judgment regarding the Sterlite Copper Plant in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. He upheld environmental safeguards and directed authorities to ensure industrial activities do not infringe upon the rights to a clean and healthy environment.

Justice Khanna’s Vision as Chief Justice

With his rich experience, Justice Khanna’s tenure as Chief Justice of India is expected to uphold judicial independence, advance constitutional values, and ensure social and economic justice. His tenure is anticipated to address high-stakes cases with a commitment to transparency, the rule of law, and balanced judicial principles.