On his final day as the 51st Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna announced he would not accept any official government positions post-retirement. Instead, he expressed a desire to remain active within the legal sphere.
“I will not accept any post-retirement post… perhaps will do something with law,” Justice Khanna stated during an informal interaction with journalists at the Supreme Court premises. He referred to this phase as his “third innings,” indicating plans to continue contributing to the legal field in a non-official capacity.
Justice Khanna’s decision aligns with a growing trend among senior judiciary members to refrain from accepting post-retirement governmental roles. Notably, CJI-designate Justice B R Gavai has also declined any such assignments.
During his tenure, Justice Khanna addressed several significant issues, including the controversy involving Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Verma. He emphasized the necessity for decisive and rational judicial thinking, stating, “We see plus and minus points and decide the issue, then rationally we weigh various factors that help us to make a right decision.”
Justice Khanna’s tenure as Chief Justice, which began on November 11, 2024, was marked by his commitment to judicial integrity and reform. His decision to abstain from post-retirement government roles underscores a dedication to maintaining the independence of the judiciary and continuing to contribute to the legal field without official affiliations.
