After DY Chandrachud, Justice Sanjiv Khanna Takes Oath as Chief Justice of India, His Top 5 Judgements

Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Monday at Rashtrapati Bhawan, with President Droupadi Murmu administering the oath. The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, who retired on November 10.

In his farewell speech, Justice Chandrachud praised Justice Khanna’s "dignity, stability, and deep commitment to justice," expressing confidence in his successor’s future contributions. The Center had confirmed Justice Khanna’s appointment on October 24 after Justice Chandrachud recommended him on October 17.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s Top 5 Landmark Judgements

1. Arvind Kejriwal's Bail

In July 2024, Justice Khanna granted interim bail to former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He questioned whether Kejriwal's arrest was necessary, citing a lack of clarity on the need for detention.

2. EVM-VVPAT Cross Verification

In April 2024, Justice Khanna rejected petitions challenging Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Lok Sabha elections. He deemed full vote cross-verification and a shift to paper ballots as unfeasible, reinforcing the viability of EVMs.

3. Electoral Bonds

Justice Khanna, as part of a five-judge bench, ruled the electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional in February 2024, highlighting transparency issues. He rejected claims of donor privacy, noting that banking channels reveal donor identities to bank officials.

4. Abrogation of Article 370

In 2023, Justice Khanna supported the abrogation of Article 370, which removed Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. He maintained that this decision did not threaten India's federal principles.

5. RTIs and Judicial Independence

In a notable 2019 judgment, Justice Khanna ruled that the Chief Justice’s office is subject to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, balancing judicial independence with transparency.

Justice Khanna's Legacy as CJI Begins

With a series of judgments that resonate with principles of justice, equality, and individual rights, Justice Khanna now begins his tenure as the Chief Justice of India. His contributions to landmark cases reflect a legacy of judicial integrity and commitment to constitutional values.

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