New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud has officially recommended Justice Sanjiv Khanna as his successor.
Justice Khanna, currently the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, is expected to take charge as the 51st Chief Justice of India on November 11, 2024.
He will succeed CJI Chandrachud, who is set to retire on November 10.
Justice Khanna, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2019, will serve as CJI for a brief tenure until May 13, 2025. His significant contributions include key judgments on the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and his role in upholding the abrogation of Article 370, which removed Jammu and Kashmir's special status.
The appointment of a CJI follows a set procedure. First, the sitting CJI recommends the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court as their successor. CJI Chandrachud has followed this process, forwarding Justice Khanna’s name to the central government.
The government then forwards the recommendation to the President of India
The President issues the formal appointment through a warrant, and the new CJI takes an oath before the President.
This process ensures a smooth and transparent transition in the leadership of the judiciary, maintaining the institution's integrity.
Justice Khanna’s upcoming tenure, though short, is expected to uphold these traditions of judicial leadership.