Justice Sanjiv Khanna Takes Oath as 51st CJI of India, 5 Crucial Judgments

Among Justice Sanjiv Khanna's most significant judgments was declared unconstitutional the much-hyped electoral bonds scheme in February 2024. He passed such a declaration while speaking on a five-judge bench.

By Palak Pathak Updated: Nov 11, 2024, 14:13 IST

Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India by President Droupadi Murmu in Rashtrapati Bhavan. This will be a six-month tenure. In an opening court session in courtroom one, Justice Khanna thanked the lawyers assembled before him for their support which he said encouraged him during this new journey.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna Begins Tenure as 51st CJI

Justice Khanna brings rich legal background along lines such as constitutional, commercial, taxation, and environmental law. He has been instrumental in many landmark judgements, which marks his commitment towards transparency, accountability, and justice.

One of his most important judgments was in February 2024 in the case Electoral Bonds in which he, along with a five-judge bench, had declared the scheme unconstitutional. Justice Khanna cited concerns related to donor transparency and the possibility of misuse and rejected arguments for donor anonymity because banking authorities already access the identities of donors.

The EVM-VVPAT Cross Verification case of April 2024 ruled by Justice Khanna showed that instead of giving legitimacy to this tampering allegation about EVMs, he asked the Election Commission to publish slips with party symbols so that the whole election process can have increased transparency and not revert to the paper ballot system. Justice Khanna was also instrumental in the 2023 judgment on Article 370, in which he upheld the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, noting that the move fell within national interest without compromising India's federal state. In Judicial Independence and Transparency (2019), he held that the office of the Chief Justice falls within the ambit of the RTI Act but with proper balance of the pursuit of transparency with considerations of privacy.

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Most recently, he granted interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal in July 2024 while emphasizing personal liberty as the paramount consideration while reviewing the arrest grounds under the PMLA. The decisions rendered by Justice Khanna clearly reflect his steadfast commitment to laws and justice.