Outgoing CJI Sanjiv Khanna Says No To Post-Retirement Posts: ‘I Will Have A Third Innings, Will Do...’
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna on Tuesday concluded his brief yet significant six-month tenure, stating he would not accept any official assignments post-retirement but would continue to work in the field of law. Justice Khanna, who was appointed as the 51st Chief Justice on November 11, 2024, demitted office on Tuesday after serving in the top court since January 18, 2019.
Following the ceremonial bench proceedings, Justice Khanna interacted with journalists at the Supreme Court premises and said, “I will not accept any post-retirement post… perhaps will do something with law.” As reported by PTI, he added, “I will have a third innings and will do something related to law.” Many former apex court judges take up arbitration roles post-retirement, but Justice Khanna has chosen a different path.
Reflecting on his tenure, Justice Khanna was lauded for taking bold and unprecedented decisions. His tenure saw the Supreme Court judges being directed to disclose their assets — a move considered unprecedented. He also opened collegium records related to judges’ appointments to public scrutiny, a rare step aimed at enhancing transparency.
CJI Khanna On Yashwant Varma Case Row
Justice Khanna also dealt with the controversy involving the recovery of cash from the residence of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma. The CJI took prompt action by initiating a preliminary inquiry led by Delhi High Court Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya. Subsequently, Justice Varma was divested of judicial responsibilities and transferred to the Allahabad High Court without judicial work. After an in-house inquiry panel indicted the judge, Justice Khanna urged him to resign. Upon refusal, he wrote to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking appropriate action.
Commenting on the controversy, Justice Khanna remarked, “Judicial thinking has to be decisive and adjudicatory.” He elaborated, “We see plus and minus points and decide the issue, then rationally we weigh various factors that help us to make a right decision.”
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Remarks On Judicial Overreach
Just a few days before retirement, Justice Khanna addressed the political uproar following BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s controversial remarks holding the judiciary responsible for civil wars in the country. Responding firmly, the CJI said, “It is the Constitution that is higher than all of us. It is the Constitution which imposes limits and restrictions on the powers vested in the three organs. The power of judicial review is conferred by the Constitution on the judiciary.” While the MP was spared contempt proceedings, the CJI’s remarks were widely seen as a defence of judicial independence.
CJI-designate Justice B R Gavai, who will succeed Justice Khanna, has also announced that he will not accept any post-retirement assignments.
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