New Delhi Justice Sanjiv Khanna took oath because the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Monday, with President Droupadi Murmu administering the oath of workplace at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
In his first remarks because the CJI, justice Khanna underscored the judiciary’s important position in guaranteeing “quick access to justice” for all residents whilst he expressed his dedication to addressing longstanding challenges inside India’s judicial system, highlighting the necessity to sort out case backlogs, make litigation inexpensive and simplify complicated authorized procedures.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar, defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union legislation minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and senior Supreme Court docket judges – justices Bhushan R Gavai and Surya Kant, and a few former CJIs together with justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud — had been current to witness the event. Justice Khanna, who took the oath in English within the title of God, succeeds justice Chandrachud, who accomplished his time period on November 10.
Via an announcement launched by the Supreme Court docket on Monday night, justice Khanna articulated his dedication to judicial integrity and accessibility. Expressing his honour in main “the third wing of democracy,” he emphasised the judiciary’s important position as a “constitutional guardian, protector of elementary rights, and repair supplier of justice.” He underscored that “judiciary is an integral, but distinct and impartial a part of the governance system,” affirming its position in guaranteeing equal justice and safety of residents’ rights.
Justice Khanna, whose tenure will lengthen till Could 13, 2025, outlined key challenges he intends to handle, notably the necessity to scale back case backlogs, streamline authorized processes and improve affordability in litigation. “It’s our constitutional obligation to make sure quick access to justice to all residents of our nice nation,” he emphasised, figuring out accessible and environment friendly justice supply as a core mission for his tenure.
The CJI additionally spoke on the significance of equal remedy in judicial proceedings, stating that “justice supply framework by way of offering equal remedy necessitates honest alternative to succeed to all, no matter standing, wealth or energy.” He highlighted his dedication to a “simply and unbiased adjudication,” positioning the judiciary as a vital protector and equaliser for all residents.
Justice Khanna’s roadmap contains implementing reforms in legal case administration, notably in decreasing trial durations. With an emphasis on making authorized processes much less burdensome, the assertion underlined that courts have to be “approachable and user-friendly,”
“Making judgments understandable to the residents and selling mediation shall be a precedence,” learn the assertion, expressing his dedication to demystifying authorized procedures for the general public.
Reflecting his citizen-centric method, justice Khanna intends to undertake a self-evaluative mannequin that’s conscious of public suggestions. He said: “The duty entrusted upon us affirms our dedication as protectors of residents’ rights and as dispute resolvers,” pledging to enhance the judiciary’s service orientation by way of fixed refinement.
Following the ceremony within the morning, PM Modi prolonged his finest needs, posting on X: “Attended the oath-taking ceremony of Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who has been sworn in because the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court docket of India. My finest needs for his tenure.”
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge additionally supplied his congratulations, acknowledging the load of duty that comes with the place. “The place of the Chief Justice of India would undoubtedly place plenty of weight on his shoulders because of the intensive scrutiny and expectations that the workplace brings with it,” Kharge wrote on X. He expressed confidence in justice Khanna’s expertise and talent to fulfil the tasks of his position with distinction.
Justice Khanna took his place within the first court docket of the Supreme Court docket on Monday afternoon, accompanied by justice PV Sanjay Kumar. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi supplied his congratulations, saying: “I want you a fruitful tenure because the CJI.”
Justice Khanna’s appointment was formally introduced on October 24, following justice Chandrachud’s formal suggestion every week in the past.
In an interview with HT on Saturday, justice Chandrachud praised justice Khanna, calling him an “extraordinary, seasoned choose with intensive expertise in each legislation and administration”. Justice Chandrachud expressed confidence in justice Khanna’s dedication to upholding justice and integrity, saying that “the way forward for the establishment is in secure palms.”
