On November 11, 2024, Justice Sanjiv Khanna will be sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India, marking an impressive chapter in his judicial career. However, his journey toward the highest position in India’s legal system wasn’t exactly what his parents had in mind. They had initially envisioned a different career path for him—one as a Chartered Accountant, favoring financial stability and reduced volatility compared to the demanding and uncertain path of law. Yet, inspired by his late uncle, Justice HR Khanna, Sanjiv Khanna chose to follow his heart into law and has since built a legacy of integrity and dedication.
Justice HR Khanna, a former Supreme Court judge, was a towering figure both in the Indian judiciary and in Sanjiv’s life. Known for his moral courage, particularly in his dissenting opinion in the landmark 1976 “habeas corpus case” (ADM Jabalpur vs Shivkant Shukla) during the Emergency, Justice HR Khanna stood firm for individual rights over state power. This stand, however, cost him; he was superseded for the Chief Justice role in 1977, prompting him to resign in a show of principles over position. Sanjiv Khanna admired his uncle’s dedication and courage, regarding him as a mentor and role model.
Justice HR Khanna’s influence went beyond the courtroom. He was known in his family for a humble, disciplined lifestyle—polishing not only his own shoes but also those of family members and washing his clothes, a testament to his modesty. These small, consistent acts of humility and independence resonated deeply with Sanjiv Khanna, who watched and admired his uncle’s self-reliant and principled way of life.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna has continued to honor his uncle’s legacy. He has meticulously preserved Justice HR Khanna’s judgments, notes, and personal registers, documenting a distinguished career that has greatly influenced his own. Following his retirement in May 2025, Justice Khanna plans to donate these documents to the Supreme Court library, making this treasure trove of legal heritage accessible to future generations.
Since joining the Supreme Court as a judge in 2019, Justice Sanjiv Khanna has walked a path that holds symbolic connections to his uncle. The courtroom he was assigned upon taking office is the very one Justice HR Khanna once presided in, and his uncle’s portrait graces its walls. Although he has yet to capture this legacy in a photograph, Justice Khanna plans to do so before his retirement, a tribute to the man who inspired his career.
Beyond his uncle’s legacy, Justice Sanjiv Khanna was also shaped by his parents’ values. His father, Devraj Khanna, a former lawyer and Delhi High Court judge, and his mother, Saroj Khanna, a lecturer at Lady Shri Ram College, influenced his appreciation for both academia and the judiciary. Though they initially hoped their son would pursue the steady, financially stable path of a Chartered Accountant, their values and support ultimately empowered him to follow his own course.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s journey to the role of Chief Justice of India highlights a legacy steeped in commitment to justice, shaped by his family’s values, and guided by the example of a principled uncle. As he prepares to take on the mantle of CJI, Justice Khanna honors a tradition of integrity and dedication—a tribute to his family, his mentor, and his unwavering commitment to justice.
