Will leave official residence post-retirement within permissible time: CJI Gavai

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai yesterday seemed to have taken a jab at former CJI DY Chandrachud who occupied the official residence of the Chief Justice of India nearly eight months after his retirement in November 2024.

Speaking at the farewell function organised by Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association for Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia who retires on August 9, CJI Gavai said that he would be vacating his official residence within whatever time is permissible as per the rules.

Addressing Justice Dhulia, the CJI said, "After retirement, he is going to be in Delhi, and he will be one of the judges who will be vacating his house immediately on the next date of his retirement. As a matter of fact, that is a rarity".

As the gathering began to laugh, the CJI further said, "I wish I would also be in a position to do the same because till 24th of November. I would not find time to find a suitable house, but I can assure you that whatever time is permissible as per the rules, I will be shifting before that".

Concluding his speech, Justice Gavai said, "But Justice Dhulia has set a very good example . I assure that many of us will emulate him, and we wish him all the best for his future."

It is to be noted that recently Supreme Court administration had 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, remained 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.

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. 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 had further 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.

Justice Chandrachud had 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.