New Delhi: Justice Sanjiv Khanna, a senior judge of the Supreme Court, is set to take oath today as the new Chief Justice of India (CJI). He will be the 51st Chief Justice of the country. President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath at 10 a.m. Justice Khanna’s term will continue until May 13, 2025, meaning he will serve for approximately six months. A common question that arises is, what exactly does the Chief Justice of India swear to uphold in their oath? Let’s explore the details.
The new Chief Justice, Sanjiv Khanna, will take an oath as per the Third Schedule, Part 4, of the Indian Constitution. During this oath, in the presence of the President, he pledges to uphold true allegiance to the Constitution and to deliver impartial justice to all, irrespective of wealth or status.
What the CJI’s Oath Entails
The oath taken by the Chief Justice of India states: “I, having been appointed the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India, swear in the name of God that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as established by law. I will duly and faithfully discharge my duties with my best ability, knowledge, and judgment without fear or favor, affection, or ill will.”
Who is Justice Sanjiv Khanna?
Justice Sanjiv Khanna was born on May 14, 1960, in the family of former Delhi High Court judge Dev Raj Khanna. He completed his schooling from Modern School, Barakhamba Road, Delhi, and graduated from Delhi University in 1980. He later pursued law from DU’s Campus Law Centre. In 1983, Justice Khanna enrolled as an advocate with the Delhi Bar Council, beginning his practice in Tis Hazari Courts and later moving to the Delhi High Court. Notably, Justice Khanna is among the few judges elevated to the Supreme Court without first serving as a Chief Justice of any High Court.