SC Judge Who Wasn't Made CJI In 1976: Story Of Next CJI Sanjiv Khanna's Uncle Who Braved Indira Govt To Guard Liberty

Justice HR Khanna is revered for standing up to the Indira Gandhi govt when 4 out of 5 judges on Constitutional Bench towed Centre's line in the controversial Habeas Corpus case upholding preventive detentions by State during Emergency.

The Indira Gandhi government contended that the state can suspend any fundamental rights during Emergency, including Article 21 of the constitution which is the right against unlawful detention.

Source : Wikipedia, Supreme Court website (modified on Canva)

The Centre recently approved the appointment of Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the 51st Chief Justice of India. Though Justice Sanjiv Khanna who has authored several landmark verdicts including the Electoral Bonds judgment has earned several feathers in his hat, one cannot miss the legacy he has inherited as nephew of one of the most celebrated Supreme Court judge who lost his Chief Justiceship for taking a stand against the Indira Gandhi government over the preventive detention of politicians,