A Quiet Legacy Ends, A New Chapter Begins: Justice Khanna Retires, Justice Gavai Steps In as CJI

It was a significant day in the Indian judicial system as Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna retired on the 13th of May’ 2025, paving the way for Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai to assume the esteemed position. Here is a breakdown of both legal luminaries:    

CJI Sanjiv Khanna: A Legacy of Quiet Resolve 

A Man of Few Words: 

• Justice Khanna is known for his quiet demeanour, preferring to let his judicial work speak for itself. He emphasized "Judges must speak through their orders."    

• His tenure highlighted that effective leadership is not always about vocal pronouncements, but about substantive actions.

  
  

  Key Judicial Contributions:  

  
  

• He played a crucial role in significant judgments, including those related to the interim bail of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the landmark decision to declare the electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional. 

  
  

• He also took firm actions regarding the controversy surrounding Justice Yashwant Varma. 

  
  

• His tenure was marked by timely interim orders that addressed pressing issues. 

Professional Background:  

• Elevated to the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019. 

  
  

• Prior to that, he served as a judge in the Delhi High Court.

• He held important positions such as Patron-in-Chief, National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and Chairperson, National Judicial Academy, Bhopal (NJA). 

  
  

• Justice Khanna has also been the Chairman, Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) from 17th June, 2023 till 25th December, 2023. 

He has stated that he will not be taking any post-retirement positions.

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai: The Incoming CJI 

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai will become the 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14th, 2025, succeeding Justice Sanjiv Khanna. Justice Havai will be sworn in by President Draupadi Murmu. 

Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, he earned his B.A.LL.B. from Nagpur University and began his legal career in 1985.    

His professional journey includes extensive practice at the Bombay High Court, particularly its Nagpur Bench, focusing on Constitutional and Administrative Law. He served as Standing Counsel for various municipal corporations and autonomous bodies, and held positions as Assistant Government Pleader, Additional Public Prosecutor, and Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor.    

Elevated to the Bombay High Court as an Additional Judge in 2003 and becoming a permanent Judge in 2005, he presided over diverse cases across Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji. In 2019, he was appointed as a Supreme Court Judge.    

During his tenure at the Supreme Court, Justice Gavai has contributed to approximately 700 benches and authored around 300 judgments, including significant Constitution Bench judgments. Notably, he was part of the bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, the contempt proceedings against Prashant Bhushan, and wrote the majority opinion that upheld the 2016 demonetization scheme. His tenure as CJI will last approximately six months, concluding with his retirement in November 2025.