Supreme Court Asks Govt To Reclaim Ex-CJI Chandrachud’s Official Residence, Citing Lapsed Extension
The Type VIII bungalow at Krishna Menon Marg, reserved for the sitting Chief Justice, remains occupied by Justice Chandrachud nearly 8 months after his retirement in November 2024;
The Supreme Court administration has asked the Union government to urgently repossess the official Chief Justice residence from former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, citing the expiry of all permitted extensions.
The Type VIII bungalow at Krishna Menon Marg, reserved for the sitting Chief Justice, remains occupied by Justice Chandrachud nearly eight months after his retirement in November 2024.
In a letter dated July 1, the Supreme Court reminded the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) that the maximum six-month post-retirement retention period under Rule 3B of the Supreme Court Judges (Amendment) Rules, 2022, expired on May 10, 2025.
An additional extension till May 31, granted under “special circumstances,” has also lapsed.
The Apex Court urged the ministry to take possession of the bungalow “without any further delay” and restore it to the court’s housing pool, as two successive CJIs; Justices Sanjiv Khanna and BR Gavai, have opted not to shift into the bungalow.
When contacted, Justice Chandrachud attributed the delay to personal reasons, including the special needs of his two daughters who require regular treatment at AIIMS. He said he has already been allotted an alternative residence by the government, but it required renovation after years of disuse.
“It is a matter of just a few days, and I will shift,” he said, adding that the Supreme Court administration was aware of his situation.
Justice Chandrachud clarified that he had earlier sought to retain the bungalow till April 30, 2025, due to restrictions on construction work during pollution-control measures. He also declined the Type VII bungalow offered to him post-retirement so that it could be allotted to another judge.
The July 1 letter notes that, despite personal exigencies, the statutory retention period cannot be stretched indefinitely, particularly when other judges are awaiting accommodation.
Justice Chandrachud emphasized his awareness of his responsibilities as a former Chief Justice but highlighted his family’s unique medical needs. “I am completely cognisant of my obligations,” he said, while assuring that he would vacate the bungalow soon.
[Inputs: HT]