Supreme Court Asks Union Govt To Reclaim CJI Bungalow As Ex-CJI Chandrachud Overstays

In an unprecedented development, the Supreme Court administration has requested the Union Government to get the official bungalow of the Chief Justice of India vacated as former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud's stay there has exceeded the permissible limit.

According to a report of The Hindustan Times, the Supreme Court administration wrote to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs requesting to take possession of Bungalow No. 5 on Krishna Menon Marg, the official bungalow of the CJI, since the permission allowed to the Justice Chandrachud to retain it expired on May 31, 2025.

Justice Chandrachud, who retired on November 10, 2024, has continued to occupy the official residence for nearly eight months post-retirement. In December 2024, he requested the then CJI Sanjiv Khanna to allow him to retain the bungalow, citing delays in the renovation of the alternate accommodation allotted to him by the Government due to a construction ban imposed in Delhi during winter. CJI Khanna agreed, and the Ministry permitted Justice Chandrachud to stay on until April 30, 2025, upon payment of a licence fee of ₹5,430 per month.

Reportedly, a similar request was made to CJI BR Gavai, who assumed office on May 15, and Justice Chandrachud was allowed to retain the bungalow till May 31, on condition that no further extension will be granted. Since Justice Chandrachud has not vacated the bungalow even after this extended time, the Supreme Court administration now took the unprecedented step of seeking the Ministry's intervention to "take possession without any further delay".

Justice Chandrachud told HT and NDTV that the delay was due to personal circumstances, as he has been looking for a suitable home for his two differently-abled daughters who require special care.

As per Rule 3B of the Supreme Court Judges Rules, a retired Chief Justice shall be entitled to a rent-free Type-VlI accommodation at Delhi (other than the designated official residence) for a period of six months from the date of retirement. This six-month period ended on May 10, 2025, and the special permission also lapsed on May 31, 2025, the Supreme Court administration pointed out in its letter.

The official residence of the CJI is a Type-VIII bungalow, which is of a higher grade.