Chief Justice Chandrachud Nominates Successor
Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud has officially recommended Justice Sanjiv Khanna as his successor before retiring on 10th November. Justice Khanna is set to be sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India, though his tenure will be brief, ending in May 2025.
As the sands of time edge ever closer to retirement for Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, he has adhered to the age-old custom of recommending his successor, much like passing the baton in a race with utmost grace. In a letter to the Ministry of Law and Justice, Chandrachud has proposed Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the next Chief Justice of India, ensuring that the judicial ship sails smoothly post his departure.
Now, it is rather customary for the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court to be crowned Chief Justice once the incumbent steps down. However, there’s a little dance of formality involved: the retiring Chief Justice must first send a missive to the government, dropping the name of his successor. Last week, the Ministry had itself nudged Chandrachud with a polite request to make the all-important recommendation. As per the grand tradition, Chandrachud has now replied with Justice Khanna’s name, leaving no room for any last-minute surprises.
Justice Chandrachud is all set to bid farewell to his judicial robes on the 10th of November, paving the way for Justice Khanna to take his oath as the 51st Chief Justice of India. President Droupadi Murmu will do the honours by swearing him in. However, like a winters in Calcutta these days, Khanna’s tenure will be all too brief, as he is slated to retire on the 13th of May, 2025. Short and sweet, as they say.
Justice Khanna’s journey through the legal labyrinth began in the district courts of Delhi as an advocate, where one imagines he spent many a day navigating the legal jungle, much like a seasoned sailor charting stormy seas. His career then took a leap to the Delhi High Court, where he became a Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department until 2004. The very next year, in 2005, Khanna was appointed as an Additional Judge in the Delhi High Court, and by 2006, he had earned his stripes as a Permanent Judge. Fast forward to 2019, and Khanna ascended to the Supreme Court, joining a select few who reached the nation’s highest court without first serving as a Chief Justice of a High Court. Quite the feather in his cap!
Justice Khanna has already made his mark on several landmark cases, including being a part of the bench for the abrogation of Article 370 and the electoral bonds case, among others. While his tenure as Chief Justice may be brief, one can expect it to be impactful, much like the Darjeeling Tea – strong and to the point.
As we brace ourselves for this judicial transition, the corridors of the Supreme Court will soon resonate with a new leadership. But one thing is for certain: the institution will remain steady, even if the faces at the helm change, for tradition in Indian judiciary, carries the weight of years and the assurance of continuity.
Now, that’s something you can set your clock by.
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