SC seeks urgent removal of ex-CJI Chandrachud from official bungalow

The Supreme Court administration has asked the central government to urgently vacate the official Chief Justice residence, stating that former CJI Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud has overstayed the permitted occupancy period and the bungalow needs to be returned to the court’s housing pool, as per reports.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has demanded that Bungalow No. 5 on Krishna Menon Marg in Lutyens’ Delhi -- the designated residence for India’s sitting CJI, be vacated immediately, according to a communication from the Supreme Court, seen by HT.

Justice Chandrachud retired on November 10, 2024. According to government rules, a serving Chief Justice is entitled to a Type VIII bungalow during his tenure. Following retirement, he/she can stay in a Type VII government bungalow rent-free for a period of up to six months.

In this instance, Justice Chandrachud continued to stay in the Type VIII bungalow allotted to him as Chief Justice for nearly eight months after retiring. This was possible because his successors — former CJI Sanjiv Khanna and current CJI BR Gavai — opted not to occupy the 5, Krishna Menon Marg residence and remained in their existing official homes.

Justice Chandrachud said personal circumstances led to the delay and that the Supreme Court administration was informed about this. He told NDTV that he did not want to overstay in the government accommodation. "But my daughters need a home with special needs. I have been roaming around since February. I have also tried service apartments and hotels, but none of them worked out," he said.