Justice Sanjiv Khanna becomes next CJI: Chief Justice of India powers and functions

NEW DELHI: Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who has served as the Supreme Court judge since January 2019, was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India on Monday.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Justice Khanna at the swearing-in ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Justice Khanna will demit office on May 13, 2025.

He succeeds Justice D Y Chandrachud, who demitted office on Sunday on attaining the age of 65 years.

He was one of the justices that are involved in several landmark cases, including affirming the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), overturning the electoral bonds scheme, supporting the abrogation of Article 370, and granting interim bail to former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

What are his powers?

• Judicial Authority

Court Leadership: The CJI chairs Supreme Court sessions and maintains authority to oversee cases, particularly those involving constitutional matters and significant issues.

Formation of Benches: The CJI holds the power to establish and determine the composition of benches, especially for constitutional hearings.

• Administrative Authority

Judicial Appointments: Through the collegium system, the CJI holds significant influence in the selection and transfer of judges within the Supreme Court and High Courts.

Court Operations: The CJI oversees case distribution and court scheduling to ensure effective Supreme Court functioning.

• Consultative Function

The CJI provides guidance to the President regarding judicial appointments and offers expert opinions on constitutional and legal subjects.

• Judiciary Leadership:

As the senior-most judicial officer, the CJI serves as the primary representative in dealings with executive and legislative branches, safeguarding judicial independence.

• Disciplinary Authority

The CJI possesses the authority to enforce discipline amongst judges and can initiate removal proceedings when warranted.

• PIL Management

The CJI exercises discretion in accepting and conducting hearings for Public Interest Litigations addressing matters of societal concern.

• Constitutional Oversight

Together with other justices, the CJI maintains the power to examine and invalidate governmental actions or laws that violate constitutional principles.

• Crisis Management

During national emergencies, the CJI assumes additional responsibilities, particularly regarding judicial operations.

What are the functions of Chief Justice of India?

The apex court serves as the final appellate authority, reviewing judgements from High Courts and various judicial bodies. It resolves conflicts between different governmental entities, including disputes among states, and between states and the central government.

In its consultative capacity, the court addresses matters forwarded by the President of India, while also possessing the authority to initiate cases suo moto. The legal principles and interpretations established by the Supreme Court are mandatory for all courts within India, and must be followed by both the Union and state administrations.

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