New Delhi, May 13, 2025 — Justice Sanjiv Khanna concluded his tenure as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) on May 13, 2025, marking the end of a distinguished judicial career spanning over three decades. Appointed as CJI on November 11, 2024, Justice Khanna served a term of six months, during which he presided over several significant judgments and upheld the principles of judicial independence and constitutional supremacy.
In a farewell address, Justice Khanna affirmed his decision to abstain from accepting any post-retirement governmental positions. “I will not accept any post-retirement post… but perhaps will do something with law,” he stated, emphasizing his commitment to continue contributing to the legal field in a non-official capacity.
Born on May 14, 1960, Justice Khanna hails from a family with a rich legal heritage. His father, Justice Dev Raj Khanna, served as a judge of the Delhi High Court, and his mother, Saroj Khanna, was a lecturer at Lady Shri Ram College. He is the nephew of former Supreme Court Justice H.R. Khanna, renowned for his dissenting judgment in the ADM Jabalpur case during the Emergency, which upheld the inviolability of fundamental rights.
Justice Khanna began his legal career in 1983 and was appointed as a judge of the Delhi High Court in 2005. He was elevated to the Supreme Court of India in January 2019. Throughout his career, he was known for his judicious reasoning and commitment to upholding the Constitution.
As he steps down, Justice Khanna leaves behind a legacy of integrity and dedication to the rule of law. His tenure as CJI, though brief, was marked by significant contributions to the Indian judiciary.
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