Meet justice Sanjiv Khanna: CJI Chandrachud recommends his successor for India’s top judicial post

Justice Sanjiv Khanna: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud has officially initiated the process to appoint his successor. On Wednesday, he recommended Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, to the Union government for the role of the next Chief Justice of India.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna set to take over as CJI

Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who is next in line based on seniority, is poised to assume the position of CJI upon Justice Chandrachud’s retirement on November 10, 2023. His tenure as Chief Justice will span approximately six months, until his retirement on May 13, 2025.

According to informed sources, CJI Chandrachud handed over a letter recommending Justice Khanna as his successor on Wednesday. The process began when the central government, on October 12, formally requested CJI Chandrachud to name his successor, following the standard procedure.

Memorandum of procedure and convention

The process is governed by the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), which dictates that the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, considered fit for the role, is recommended for the position of CJI. After the recommendation, the government is expected to issue a notification formally appointing Justice Khanna, effective November 11, 2023.

Justice Khanna's distinguished legal career

Justice Sanjiv Khanna boasts a remarkable legal career, with extensive expertise in constitutional law, criminal law, and commercial law. Appointed to the Delhi High Court in 2005 and later elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019, Justice Khanna has made several notable judicial contributions, positioning him as a prominent figure in the Indian judiciary.