Justice Chandrachud, who retired in November 2024, continued staying in the Chief Justice’s residence beyond the six-month grace period. The court now wants the bungalow vacated without further delay.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, July 7, 2025 — The Supreme Court administration has asked the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to immediately reclaim Bungalow No. 5, Krishna Menon Marg, the official residence of the Chief Justice of India, from former CJI Dr. DY Chandrachud. The court’s letter notes that the allotted period for Justice Chandrachud’s stay has long expired, and the accommodation is urgently required for current judges.
Justice Chandrachud retired on November 10, 2024. Under existing government rules, a retired Chief Justice is entitled to rent-free accommodation in a Type VII government bungalow for up to six months after demitting office. However, he has continued residing in the Type VIII bungalow designated for the sitting CJI—well beyond the permissible period.
In a letter dated July 1, the Supreme Court administration formally requested the ministry to “take possession” of the bungalow without further delay. “The permission granted for retention expired on May 31, 2025, and the six-month period allowed under Rule 3B of the 2022 Rules lapsed on May 10, 2025,” the letter stated.
Sources in the court told NDTV that the need for the bungalow has become pressing. The Supreme Court currently has 33 judges, including CJI BR Gavai—one short of the sanctioned strength of 34. Four judges are yet to receive official accommodation: three are residing in transit apartments, and one in a state guest house. The bungalow at 5, Krishna Menon Marg is crucial for resolving the accommodation shortage.
Justice Chandrachud, responding to the situation, said that personal circumstances delayed his move-out. He emphasized that the Supreme Court was kept fully informed throughout the period.
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“I have already been allotted an alternative accommodation on rent by the government, but that house has been shut for at least two years and is currently under renovation,” he said. “I made it clear that I will shift the very next day the house is ready.”
Justice Chandrachud added that his delay was also due to the special needs of his two daughters, both of whom suffer from severe comorbidities, including a rare genetic disorder called nemaline myopathy. “This is a deeply personal matter, and I do not intend to defy the rules. But it took time to find a house appropriate for their needs. I have discussed this with the judges and officers of the court,” he said.
The former Chief Justice reiterated that his stay was never meant to violate norms. “I have occupied the highest judicial office and am fully aware of my responsibilities. I will move shortly. It’s just a matter of a few days,” he said.
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After his retirement in November, Justice Chandrachud wrote to then CJI Sanjiv Khanna in December 2024, requesting permission to retain the Krishna Menon Marg bungalow until April 30, 2025. He also offered to forgo the post-retirement bungalow allotted to him.
CJI Khanna approved the request, and the Ministry of Housing allowed the extended stay from December 11, 2024, to April 30, 2025, on the condition that he pay a license fee of ₹5,430 per month. Justice Chandrachud later made an oral request for an extension till May 31, which was granted—but with a caveat that no further extension would be possible.
With even that deadline having lapsed, the Supreme Court administration has now asked the ministry to ensure that the bungalow is vacated and returned to the court’s housing pool without any further delay.
As of now, there has been no official statement from the Ministry of Housing in response to the court’s request.
