CJI Sanjiv Khanna Steps Down Leaving a Quiet Yet Enduring Legacy

In the Supreme Court of India, known for its high-stakes drama and heated arguments, there was a rare pause last week, a moment of reflection, warmth, and tribute. As Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna stepped down, the atmosphere in the ceremonial courtroom was heavy with respect. The occasion marked more than the end of a judicial tenure. It was the closing of a chapter written with humility, clarity, and a quiet but firm commitment to justice.

Justice Khanna didn’t chase headlines or cultivate grandeur. He wasn’t the kind of judge whose presence intimidated; instead, his influence came from how he listened, how he wrote, and above all, how he upheld the Constitution- not just in words, but in spirit.

CJI Sanjiv Khanna steps down, leaving behind a legacy of humility, transparency, and judicial excellence in the Supreme Court of India.

CJI Sanjiv Khanna: Bridging the Bench and the Bar

In his final address, CJI Sanjiv Khanna offered a simple insight: “The judiciary is not just the judges- it includes the bar.” That line, unadorned but resonant, reflected a deeper philosophy. Throughout his tenure, he treated the practice of law as a collaboration. For him, justice wasn’t a monologue from the bench; it was a dialogue, where lawyers regardless of rank or experience had an equal stake in shaping the outcome.

That approach wasn’t performative. It was lived. Advocates, especially younger ones, recall how he would listen intently, never rushing, never dismissing. In a court often dominated by seniority and tradition, Justice Khanna opened space for new voices. That earned him quiet admiration from both seasoned seniors and the next generation of lawyers.

Judgments That Spoke Plainly and Powerfully

Legal writing can often feel like a fortress of jargon. Justice Khanna had no interest in that. His judgments were marked by clarity, brevity, and precision - traits increasingly rare in an age of performative verbosity. He wasn’t one to bury ideas under legalese; he laid them bare.

Attorney General R. Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta both acknowledged this gift during the farewell ceremony. They praised his ability to reduce complex legal knots into solutions that were not just sound but accessible. His writing style wasn’t just elegant, it was democratic.

But it wasn’t style over substance. His opinions consistently leaned toward reinforcing constitutional values. Whether dealing with personal liberties or institutional boundaries, Justice Khanna remained anchored to foundational principles. In an era where legal judgments sometimes risk veering into political theatre, his restraint was refreshing and necessary.

The Courage to Be Transparent

Perhaps one of the boldest decisions of his tenure was also one of the quietest. Under his leadership, the Supreme Court took the significant step of publishing judges’ assets. It wasn’t a grand announcement, it was a statement of accountability. In an institution often cloaked in tradition and guarded distance, this act spoke volumes.

Justice B.R. Gavai, now his successor, rightly pointed out that this move reflected Justice Khanna’s deep belief in transparency. It wasn’t just about optics. It was about trust. And trust, Justice Khanna understood, is not won through speeches but through action.

A Nod to the Future

Justice Khanna’s courtrooms weren’t dominated by titles. Seniority didn’t automatically command more respect. He had a habit of encouraging young advocates to argue, to think, to grow. Supreme Court Bar Association President Kapil Sibal recalled this generosity not as a gesture, but as a principle. In empowering young lawyers, Justice Khanna wasn’t just being kind - he was safeguarding the future of the legal system.

Mentorship, in his case, wasn’t formal or self-conscious. It was a way of being. He created space - intellectually and emotionally - for others to step in, challenge, and contribute. It’s one reason why so many in the legal community, especially the younger cohort, speak of him with genuine affection.

Humility in an Age of Ego

Amid all the courtroom accolades, it was a brief story by Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju that offered the most striking image. He spoke of spotting Justice Khanna walking alone in Lodhi Gardens, early in the morning, unaccompanied by security, blending into the quiet of Delhi's dawn. There was something profound in that: the country’s top judge, content in solitude, untouched by the trappings of power.

That humility defined his career. Whether it was his soft-spoken manner, his thoughtful pauses in hearings, or his refusal to interrupt lawyers mid-sentence, Justice Khanna carried the weight of office without ever letting it change him.

A Legacy Rooted in History and Conviction

Of course, Justice Khanna’s values didn’t emerge in a vacuum. His family history reads like a lineage of judicial conscience. His uncle, the legendary Justice H.R. Khanna, is remembered for his lone dissent in the infamous ADM Jabalpur case - a judgment that upheld civil liberties during the Emergency. That dissent became a symbol of judicial bravery.

The same quiet strength ran through Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s tenure. He didn’t chase confrontation, but he also didn’t flinch from standing his ground. He made space for dissent, embraced transparency, and most importantly, kept the judiciary close to its constitutional roots.

A Confident Handoff

In his parting remarks, Justice Khanna expressed full confidence in Justice Gavai, calling him a fair, capable leader. It wasn’t just a formality, it was a graceful transition. At a time when public institutions are often defined by conflict and competition, Justice Khanna chose continuity and trust. The message was clear: leadership is a relay, not a race.

The Quiet Force That Stays Behind

As the ceremonial bench rose and the applause faded, one thing became clear: Justice Sanjiv Khanna may have left the chair, but his influence will linger.

His wasn’t a legacy built on grandstanding or confrontation. It was built in the quiet moments- in the fairness of a hearing, in the clarity of a verdict, in a morning walk through Lodhi Gardens. He reminded the judiciary of its best self: humble, human, and deeply constitutional.

“Once you are a lawyer, you remain a lawyer,” he said in his final speech. It wasn’t nostalgia. It was a reflection of how he saw himself - not above the legal system, but always a part of it.

In a time when public trust in institutions is fragile, CJI Khanna leaves behind something more valuable than power - he leaves behind faith.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna may have stepped down, but his legacy stands tall - measured not in words spoken, but in values upheld.

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