The Inspiring Life of Chief Justice of India : Justice Sanjiv Khanna
Justice Sanjiv Khanna: Current Chief Justice of India
Early Life and Background:
- Date of Birth: May 14, 1960, born into a family with a legal background.
- Educational Journey:
- Completed schooling at Modern School, New Delhi (1977).
- Earned a degree from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi (1980), and pursued law studies at the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi.
- Family Connections:
- Father: Justice Dev Raj Khanna, a former judge of the Delhi High Court.
- Uncle: Hans Raj Khanna, an eminent Supreme Court judge known for his dissent in the landmark ADM Jabalpur v. Shiv Kant Shukla case, a pivotal moment in Indian judicial history.
Academic and Professional Beginnings:
- In 1983, Justice Khanna began his legal career, enrolling as an advocate.
- Initially practiced in Delhi District Courts and later specialized in the Delhi High Court, handling a variety of cases including Constitutional Law, Taxation, Arbitration, Commercial Law, and others.
- Took on significant roles, such as Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department and the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
Judicial Milestones:
Delhi High Court:
- Appointed as an Additional Judge in 2005 and confirmed as a Permanent Judge in 2006.
- Held leadership positions like:
- Chairman of the Delhi Judicial Academy (DJA).
- Head of the Delhi International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).
Supreme Court of India:
- Appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019, making him the 51st Chief Justice of India.
- Currently holding prestigious roles:
- Patron-in-Chief, National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
- Chairperson of the National Judicial Academy (NJA).
- Retirement: Justice Khanna is scheduled to retire on May 13, 2025.
Key Rulings and Judicial Contributions:
- Association for Democratic Reforms v. Election Commission of India (2024):
- A bench led by Justice Khanna dismissed the plea for full VVPAT verification, affirming that the existing system ensures transparent and efficient elections.
- Electoral Bond Scheme Case (2024):
- Delivered a concurring opinion declaring the Electoral Bond Scheme unconstitutional. Justice Khanna emphasized that the donor’s identity is known to the bank, making the privacy claim invalid in this context.
- Abrogation of Article 370 (2023):
- Supported the constitutional amendment, stating the abrogation of Article 370 does not undermine the federal structure of India.
- Shilpa Sailesh v. Varun Sreenivasan (2023):
- Authored the opinion allowing the Supreme Court to directly grant divorce under Article 142, facilitating justice in cases of irretrievable marital breakdown.
- Arbitration Fee Revision Case (2022):
- Disagreed with the majority opinion, asserting that in the absence of an agreement, an arbitral tribunal is authorized to determine a reasonable fee for services.
- CPIO v. Subhash Chandra Agarwal (2019) – RTI Case:
- Advocated for transparency in the Chief Justice’s office while ensuring judicial independence is not compromised. The court ruled that RTI requests involving the Chief Justice’s office must be assessed individually, considering the public interest and privacy.
Honors and Recognition:
- National Law Day Award (2019):
- Acknowledged for his exemplary contributions to the legal community.
- Lifetime Achievement Award (2020):
- Received from the Indian National Bar Association for his extraordinary service to the legal profession.
Final Thoughts:
Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s judicial career has had a profound impact on India’s legal framework. His commitment to fairness, legal integrity, and the protection of constitutional values has solidified his reputation as a respected figure in the judiciary. As he prepares for his retirement in 2025, his legacy continues to influence the country’s legal landscape.
Disclaimer: (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the KanoonKiBaat staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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