New Delhi: In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court administration has formally requested the Centre to vacate the Chief Justice of India’s official residence at Krishna Menon Marg, citing that the current occupant, ex-CJI DY Chandrachud, has exceeded the permissible stay duration.
According to sources, in a July 1 communication to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the apex court administration noted that Bungalow No. 5 on Krishna Menon Marg—the designated residence for the sitting Chief Justice of India—should be vacated and returned to the court’s housing pool.
The letter urged the MoHUA secretary to take possession of the bungalow from the former CJI without further delay, highlighting that the retention permission expired on May 31, 2025, and the six-month period allowed under the 2022 Rules lapsed on May 10, 2025.
Under Rule 3B of the Supreme Court Judges (Amendment) Rules, 2022, a retired Chief Justice of India may retain a type VII bungalow—one tier below the Krishna Menon Marg residence—for up to six months after retirement.
Justice Chandrachud, who served as the 50th Chief Justice from November 2022 to November 2024, continues to occupy the official residence nearly eight months post-retirement.
His successor, former CJI Sanjiv Khanna, opted not to move into the designated accommodation during his six-month tenure. The current incumbent, CJI BR Gavai, has also chosen to remain in a previously allotted bungalow.
In a letter dated December 18 last year, Justice Chandrachud requested then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna to permit him to continue residing at the official residence until April 30, 2025, citing ongoing renovation work at his newly allotted Bungalow No. 14 on Tughlak Road, as per the 2022 rules.
Following this request, then CJI Khanna approved the extension, leading the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to formally sanction Justice Chandrachud’s retention of the type VIII bungalow from December 11, 2024, to April 30, 2025, on payment of a licence fee of approximately ₹5,000 per month. This approval was communicated to the Supreme Court administration via a letter dated February 13, 2025.
Later, Justice Chandrachud orally appealed to extend his stay till May 31, 2025, which was again granted by CJI Khanna, on the condition that no further extension would be provided due to the accommodation needs of newly appointed judges who were being placed in guest houses or making alternate arrangements in Delhi.
In its July 1 communication, the Supreme Court administration highlighted a breach of both the stipulated timelines and the legal provisions, reiterating that the Krishna Menon Marg residence was allowed under “special circumstances” and was expected to be vacated by the end of May. The letter urged the Centre to take possession of the official CJI residence without delay and notify the Supreme Court.
Such formal requests to the government for vacating an official CJI residence—particularly involving a former occupant—are rare.
Sources noted that previous Chief Justices have occasionally been granted informal extensions for a few months post-retirement, allowing them time to arrange suitable accommodation.
(inputs from PTI)