In a significant development for the Indian judiciary, Justice Sanjeev Khanna has been appointed as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI), with the Central Government formally approving his appointment. Justice Khanna, who is currently serving as the first puisne judge of the Supreme Court, will assume office on November 11, 2023, following the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice, DY Chandrachud.
CJI DY Chandrachud, who has served since November 8, 2022, recommended Justice Khanna’s name for the position, underscoring his confidence in Khanna’s capabilities to lead the Supreme Court. Justice Khanna will be sworn in a day after Justice Chandrachud’s retirement at the age of 65.
Union Minister of State for Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, confirmed the government’s approval of Justice Khanna’s appointment via a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Justice Khanna’s term as Chief Justice will be relatively short, lasting only 183 days. He is set to retire on May 13, 2025. His appointment is notable as he is the nephew of former Supreme Court judge Hans Raj Khanna, who is well-remembered for his landmark judgments.
Throughout his career, Justice Khanna has made a mark in the judiciary, notably for his judgment in the ADM Jabalpur case. His appointment is expected to bring a new perspective to the Supreme Court during his brief tenure.
As Justice Khanna prepares to take on the responsibilities of the Chief Justice, the legal community and citizens alike are keen to see how he will navigate the complexities of the judiciary and uphold the principles of justice in India.
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