Ex-CJI DY Chandrachud Overstays At SC Quarters, Asked To Vacate Immediately
The Supreme Court has requested the Ministry of Housing to vacate Bungalow No. 5, still occupied by former CJI Chandrachud eight months post-retirement. His successors declined the residence.
The Supreme Court administration has written to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), seeking the immediate vacation of Bungalow No. 5 on Krishna Menon Marg, which continues to be occupied by former Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, even eight months after his retirement.
Justice Chandrachud, who served as the 50th CJI from November 2022 to November 2024, has been living on the premises even after retiring. His two successors, Justices Sanjiv Khanna and incumbent Bhushan R Gavai, have declined to move into the bungalow, choosing to remain in their previously allotted residences.
Permission Expired On May 31
The July 1 letter emphasises that the extended permission granted to Justice Chandrachud expired on May 31, 2025, and even the six-month grace period, as per Rule 3B of the 2022 Rules, lapsed on May 10. The residence, a Type VIII bungalow, is officially designated for the sitting CJI.
When contacted, Justice Chandrachud acknowledged the delay and attributed it to personal circumstances, which he said were communicated to the SC administration. He further clarified that he has already been allotted an alternative rented accommodation by the government, but is awaiting necessary repairs and upgrades before moving in.
The court's request signals a push to enforce housing norms even at the highest levels, reinforcing the principle of equitable government resource allocation, regardless of office held.
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