Hyderabad: Justice Sanjiv Khanna signed off as Chief Justice of India on Tuesday and said he wouldn’t be taking up any official post after retirement. He added that he hoped to stay involved in the legal field in some other way.
Soon after the final bench proceedings wrapped up at the Supreme Court, the Bar Association organised a farewell for him. Speaking to reporters at the event, he made it clear—no public roles post-retirement.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna had assumed office as the 51st Chief Justice on 11 November 2024. He is closely related to former Supreme Court judge, the late Justice H.R. Khanna. His judicial career began in 2005 as an additional judge at the Delhi High Court. The following year, he was made permanent. He joined the Supreme Court bench on 18 January 2019 and became CJI five years later.
With his retirement, Justice B.R. Gavai will step in as the 52nd Chief Justice. He is set to take charge on 14 May. President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath. Justice Gavai was recommended by Sanjiv Khanna himself, based on seniority. His term will run until 23 November.
