As DY Chandrachud fails to vacate CJI bungalow, Bar chief seeks ‘strong steps’

In an embarrassment to former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, the Supreme Court administration has asked the Centre to get the official residence of the CJI occupied by him vacated as he had overstayed there much beyond the permissible period.

Also, Supreme Court Bar Association president and senior advocate Vikas Singh has asked the government to “take very strong steps for getting the house vacated immediately”, and that those in high positions needed to “set examples in how they behaved”.

“Higher the office you hold, the more you have to set an example in how you behave…. And in the judiciary, it applies even 10 times more than what it applies in the government. Because it’s a nominated bungalow for the CJI, he has to vacate within 30 days of retirement,” he said. The Bar association president said staying for so long was actually “setting up a very bad example for not only the judiciary, but also for people in high positions”. “I think the government should take very strong steps for getting the house vacated immediately,” he said.

In a letter dated July 1, the Supreme Court administration asked the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to urgently return Bungalow No. 5 on Krishna Menon Marg occupied by Justice Chandrachud to the top court’s housing pool, sources said.

This is for the first time that such a step has been taken by the Supreme Court administration with regard to a former CJI. The permission for retention of the bungalow expired on May 31, 2025, and the period of six months provided under relevant rules expired on May 10, 2025, they said.

Justice Chandrachud, the 50th CJI, demitted office on November 10, 2024. However, he continues to occupy 5, Krishna Menon Marg, bungalow even today and the extensions given to him have already expired, they said, adding former CJIs had in the past been allowed extensions for a limited period.

His successor Justice Sanjiv Khanna chose not to move into the official residence while incumbent CJI BR Gavai lives in a bungalow previously allotted to him as a Supreme Court judge.

Now, the SC administration has requested the Centre to take possession of the official CJI bungalow without any further delay and inform the apex court.

Justice Chandrachud had earlier informed the top court the delay in vacating the bungalow was in view of time taken in making the Tughlak Road bungalow allotted to him liveable for his two daughters with special needs, who were receiving treatment at AIIMS, sources said.

He had also written to his successor Justice Khanna in April that he was in the process of shortlisting an accommodation which suited the special needs of his daughters and urged extension of time for vacating the official residence till June 30, they said.

India