Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud has initiated the process to appoint his successor by recommending Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, to the Union government.
As per Indian media reports, Justice Khanna is set to assume the position of CJI upon Justice Chandrachud’s retirement on November 10, 2024. His tenure as CJI is expected to last until his retirement on May 13, 2025.
Justice Khanna, who has a distinguished legal career, was recommended for the role based on seniority. He has extensive experience across various fields of law, including constitutional, commercial, and criminal law, and has served in several significant capacities, including as an additional public prosecutor and senior standing counsel for various governmental bodies.
Following the convention, the law ministry had requested CJI Chandrachud to name his successor in early October, leading to this recommendation. The government is expected to soon issue a formal notification confirming Justice Khanna’s appointment, effective from November 11, 2024.
Justice Khanna's unique career path includes his direct elevation to the Supreme Court in 2019, bypassing the role of chief justice of any high court, making his journey notable within the Indian judicial system.
