SC Seeks Immediate Repossession of CJI Bungalow from Justice Chandrachud After Extended Stay Beyond Permissible Limit

Supreme Court asks Centre to reclaim official CJI residence from Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, citing overstay beyond permitted post-retirement period.

In a rare and unprecedented administrative move, the Supreme Court of India has formally requested the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to reclaim Bungalow No. 5, Krishna Menon Marg, the official residence earmarked for the sitting Chief Justice of India (CJI), currently occupied by former CJI Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.

Justice Chandrachud, who demitted office in November 2024, has continued to reside in the Type VIII government accommodation even eight months after his retirement, well beyond the six-month post-retirement limit provided under Rule 3B of the Supreme Court Judges (Amendment) Rules, 2022. As per those rules, a retired CJI is entitled to retain official housing for up to six months from the date of demitting office — a period that expired for Justice Chandrachud on May 10, 2025.

In a communication dated July 1, 2025, addressed to the Ministry, the Supreme Court administration sought immediate possession of the bungalow, citing the lapse of the approved extension, which had already expired on May 31, 2025. The communication emphasized the need to return the residence to the court’s housing pool for continued institutional use, especially as it is the designated accommodation for the sitting Chief Justice.

Earlier, Justice Chandrachud had sought an extension of stay until April 30, 2025, attributing delays in the renovation of his newly allotted accommodation on Tughlak Road. The extension was approved by his successor, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, and further authorised by the Ministry, allowing Justice Chandrachud to occupy the bungalow from December 11, 2024, to April 30, 2025, on a nominal license fee basis.

However, Justice Chandrachud reportedly continued his stay citing personal circumstances, particularly the serious medical conditions of his two daughters, who are undergoing treatment for rare genetic disorders, including nemaline myopathy, at AIIMS Delhi. In a communication to the court, he explained the delays, stating, “I totally understand it is my personal issue. But I should also make it clear why it has taken me so long to look for a house, and this is something I have already discussed with the judges and the officers in the Supreme Court.”

He further assured that he would vacate the premises “the very next day” his Tughlak Road accommodation becomes ready for occupation. He underscored that the alternative residence had remained shut and required considerable restoration before becoming habitable.

While the matter involves sensitive personal issues, the Supreme Court’s formal intervention signals a need to balance institutional protocol and compassionate considerations. The issue has raised broader concerns around the enforcement of post-retirement occupancy rules and the use of official housing by retired constitutional functionaries. It also reflects the Court’s emphasis on maintaining the integrity and timely availability of judicial infrastructure.

The Centre’s response is now awaited, as Justice Chandrachud’s continued stay beyond the sanctioned period draws both administrative and public scrutiny.