CJI Sanjiv Khanna sets priorities: criminal case reforms, faster trials

Newly appointed Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna outlined his priorities on Monday, calling for criminal case management reforms and faster trials. Taking office as the 51st CJI, Justice Khanna highlighted the need to clear backlogs, simplify legal procedures, and make the justice system more user-friendly.

In a Monday evening press release, Justice Khanna emphasized reducing trial durations through a systematic approach. His vision includes positioning the justice delivery mechanism to ensure citizens face a less arduous legal process. “Our mission,” he noted, “is to make the courts more approachable and the litigation process accessible and affordable.”

Justice Khanna, who will serve as CJI for just over six months, plans to retire on May 13, 2025. During this time, he aims to make the judiciary more responsive, promoting mediation and improving judgment clarity to bridge gaps in legal understanding for the general public.

Expressing pride in his new role, CJI Khanna underscored the judiciary’s duty as a guardian of citizens’ rights and an independent pillar of democracy. He highlighted the judiciary’s critical role in upholding Fundamental Rights and providing justice impartially, irrespective of status or power. “The Constitution entrusts us as protectors of citizens’ rights,” he remarked. “We bear a duty to make justice accessible to all in this diverse nation.”

Adopting a “self-evaluative” approach, CJI Khanna emphasized responsiveness to feedback, aiming to improve the justice system’s quality and effectiveness. Through these reforms, he hopes to enhance public trust and make the judiciary a proactive service provider in delivering justice to all citizens.