SC Seeks Vacation of CJI Residence Occupied by Ex-CJI Chandrachud

New Delhi, July 6, 2025 

In an unusual step, the Supreme Court administration has formally asked the Centre to vacate the official residence of the Chief Justice of India (CJI), which continues to be occupied by former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, well beyond the permitted timeframe.

In a letter dated July 1 addressed to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the court has urged that Bungalow No. 5 on Krishna Menon Marg — the designated residence for the sitting CJI — be returned to the Supreme Court’s housing pool immediately. The letter notes that the extended permission for Justice Chandrachud to stay there expired on May 31, 2025, while the six-month limit prescribed under Rule 3B of the Supreme Court Judges (Amendment) Rules, 2022 had already lapsed by May 10, 2025.

As per the rules, a retired CJI is entitled to retain a Type VII bungalow — a category below the Type VIII Krishna Menon Marg residence — for up to six months after retirement.

Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who served as the 50th CJI from November 2022 to November 2024, continues to live in the Krishna Menon Marg residence almost eight months post-retirement. His immediate successor, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, and the current CJI B.R. Gavai both chose not to occupy the official CJI residence during their tenures, with Justice Gavai continuing to live in his earlier allotted bungalow.

Back in December 2024, Justice Chandrachud had written to then CJI Khanna requesting to remain at the Krishna Menon Marg bungalow until April 30, 2025, citing ongoing renovation work at the Tughlak Road bungalow allotted to him under the 2022 rules. CJI Khanna approved the request, and MoHUA subsequently sanctioned the extension, allowing Justice Chandrachud to stay from December 11, 2024, to April 30, 2025, on a license fee of ₹5,000 per month.

In April 2025, Justice Chandrachud orally requested another extension till May 31, which was again approved, albeit with the condition that no further extension would be granted. The court administration’s July 1 letter now emphasizes that the extended timeline has been breached and reiterates that the original arrangement was only meant to last until the end of May.

The administration has now asked MoHUA to take possession of the bungalow and inform the court once the matter is resolved.

Though past CJIs have been granted short informal extensions to stay in official residences, this is a rare instance where the court has formally intervened. Sources indicate that Justice Chandrachud had informed the court about delays in shifting due to the specific requirements of his daughters, both of whom have special needs and are undergoing treatment at AIIMS.

He had reportedly communicated in April that he was still finalizing a suitable home to accommodate his family’s unique circumstances, and had requested time until June 30 to vacate the premises.

Despite these reasons, the Supreme Court administration has now flagged the issue as a breach of established legal limits and exceptional permissions, underscoring the need for immediate action.

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