Supreme Court Urges Ex-CJI Chandrachud to Vacate Official Residence
The Supreme Court administration has formally requested the Union government to expedite the vacating of the official Chief Justice's residence by former CJI DY Chandrachud, citing an overstay beyond the permitted period.
Supreme CourtChief JusticeHousing And Urban AffairsRetirementOfficial ResidenceReal Estate NewsJul 06, 2025
Bungalow No. 5 on Krishna Menon Marg in Lutyens’ Delhi is designated as the official residence for the sitting Chief Justice of India under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). Sources have informed CNN-News18 that the court has requested the bungalow be vacated without delay.
Justice DY Chandrachud, who served as the 50th Chief Justice of India from November 2022 to November 2024, has continued to reside in the Type VIII bungalow for nearly eight months after his retirement. His successors, Justices Sanjiv Khanna and the current Chief Justice of India, Bhushan R Gavai, have both chosen to remain in their previously allotted accommodations instead of moving into the official residence.
When contacted, Justice Chandrachud explained to CNN-News18 that Justice Sanjiv Khanna had granted him an extension until April 2025. At the end of April, he wrote to Justice Khanna requesting a further extension until June. He stated, “We were looking for a specific house since our daughters have special needs. We have created an ICU-like setup for our elder daughter, and finding a suitable house in the open market is challenging. Therefore, I requested the government to provide us with temporary accommodation on rent.”
Justice Chandrachud further mentioned that the government house allotted to him required significant repairs, and he is awaiting the completion of these repairs before initiating the transfer process.
According to a report, Justice DY Chandrachud wrote to then Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna on December 18, 2024, just over a month after his retirement, requesting permission to stay at 5 Krishna Menon Marg until April 30, 2025. In his letter, he explained that although he had been allotted Bungalow No. 14 on Tughlak Road under Rule 3B of the Supreme Court Judges (Amendment) Rules, 2022, the renovation work at the new residence had been delayed due to restrictions on construction activity under GRAP-IV.
He wrote, “It would be more convenient if I were permitted to retain the existing accommodation at 5 Krishna Menon Marg till 30 April 2025,” and offered to surrender the Tughlak Road bungalow so it could be allotted to another judge. Rule 3B of the 2022 Rules allows a retired Chief Justice to retain Type VII accommodation—one category below the Type VIII residence at Krishna Menon Marg—for up to six months after demitting office.
Following the then CJI’s approval, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs permitted Justice Chandrachud to retain the Type VIII bungalow from December 11, 2024, to April 30, 2025. This decision was communicated to the Supreme Court through a letter dated February 13, 2025.
The Supreme Court’s formal request to the Union government highlights the need to adhere to the rules and regulations governing the use of official residences, ensuring that the accommodation is available for the current and future Chief Justices of India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Supreme Court administration requesting the vacating of the official residence?
The Supreme Court administration is requesting the vacating of the official residence because former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud has stayed in the bungalow for nearly eight months beyond his retirement, which exceeds the allowed timeframe.
What is the official residence for the Chief Justice of India?
The official residence for the Chief Justice of India is Bungalow No. 5 on Krishna Menon Marg in Lutyens’ Delhi, designated under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Why are the current and previous Chief Justices not moving into the official residence?
The current and previous Chief Justices, Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Bhushan R Gavai, have chosen to remain in their previously allotted accommodations, citing personal reasons and the ongoing occupancy by former CJI DY Chandrachud.
What are the special circumstances that led to Justice Chandrachud's extended stay?
Justice Chandrachud's extended stay is due to the special needs of his daughters, particularly the ICU-like setup for his elder daughter, and the difficulty in finding a suitable house in the open market.
What is the rule regarding the retention of official accommodation by retired Chief Justices?
Rule 3B of the Supreme Court Judges (Amendment) Rules, 2022, allows a retired Chief Justice to retain Type VII accommodation—one category below the Type VIII residence at Krishna Menon Marg—for up to six months after demitting office.
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