Supreme Court seeks removal of Justice Chandrachud from CJI’s official residence, writes to Centre

In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court administration has written to the Union government, urging it to ensure that the official residence of the Chief Justice is urgently vacated and returned to the court’s housing pool.

 

In its letter dated July 1, the top court notes that former chief justice D.Y. Chandrachud has overstayed in the property—Bungalow No. 5 on Krishna Menon Marg in Lutyens’ Delhi.

 

The Type VIII Bungalow is the designated residence for the sitting CJI under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). After retirement, he or she can choose a Type VII bungalow without rent for a period of up to six months.

 

According to reports, Justice Chandrachud, who served as the 50th Chief Justice of India from November 2022 to November 2024, has continued to live in the official residence for the last eight months.

 

This was possible because his two successors—former Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and current Chief Justice B.R. Gavai—chose not to shift to the Krishna Menon Marg and remained in their previously allotted accommodations.

 

"I am to request you to take the possession of Bungalow No. 5, Krishna Menon Marg, from Hon'ble Dr. Justice DY Chandrachud without any further delay as not only the permission that was granted for retention... has expired on 31st May, 2025, but also the period of six months provided in Rule 3B of the 2022 Rules has expired on 10th May, 2025," reads a letter from a top court official to the MoHUA secretary.

 

In December 2014, a month after his retirement, Justice Chandrachud had written to then CJI Justice Khanna, seeking permission to continue residing at the official residence until April 30, 2025.

India