Justice Sanjiv Khanna took the Oath as the 51st Chief Justice of India

Today (November 11, 2024), Justice Sanjiv Khanna took oath as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, succeeding former CJI DY Chandrachud, who retired on November 10, 2024, at the age of 65. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice-President Jagdeep Dankhar, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, former CJI Chandrachud, Minister of Power Manohar Lal Khattar, and other important persons. Justice Chandrachud recommended Justice Sanjiv Khanna on October 16, and the Centre officially notified his appointment as Chief Justice of India on October 24. Justice Sanjiv Khanna will serve as the CJI till May 13, 2025. 

On November 08, 2024, the last working day of Justice Chandrachud as CJI, a ceremonial bench was organized to bid farewell to Justice DY Chandrachud. In his farewell speech, he said, “It is this court that keeps me going…we meet people we possibly don't know. I thank all of you and each one of you and there is no case similar to an earlier case. If I ever hurt anyone in the court, I would like you to just please forgive me. Thank you for coming in such large numbers.” He also said, “We are here as pilgrims to work, and the work we do can make or break cases. There have been great judges who have adorned this court and passed on this baton.” Showing his confidence in Justice Sanjiv Khanna, former CJI said, “There is not going to be any difference when I leave this court because a person as stable as Justice Khanna will take over and is so dignified.”