Supreme Court Requests Centre to Vacate Former Chief Justice's Residence

Supreme Court Seeks Return of Official Residence

The administration of the Supreme Court has reached out to the central government, requesting the vacation of the official residence of the Chief Justice of India, as former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud has exceeded the allowed duration of stay, as reported on Sunday.

In a communication dated July 1 to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Supreme Court administration urged the government to reclaim the residence located at 5, Krishna Menon Marg in New Delhi, which was allocated to Chandrachud during his term as Chief Justice, and to return it to the court's housing pool.

The administration noted that the permission for the former Chief Justice to occupy the residence expired on May 31, and the six-month allowance stipulated by the Supreme Court Judges Amendment Rules, 2022, concluded on May 10.

According to Rule 3B of the amended 2022 regulations, a retired Chief Justice is permitted to retain a Type VII bungalow, which is of a lower grade than the Krishna Menon Marg residence, for a maximum of six months post-retirement.

Chandrachud, who held the position of the 50th Chief Justice of India from November 2022 to November 2024, has remained in the official residence for nearly eight months following his departure from office.

He explained that the delay in vacating the property was due to his daughters’ serious health issues and genetic conditions, for which they are currently receiving treatment at AIIMS, as reported by a media outlet.

Chandrachud mentioned that he has been assigned a new rental property by the government, but it is undergoing renovations after being unoccupied for almost two years.

“It is just a matter of a few days before I move,” he stated, emphasizing his awareness of the responsibilities that come with having occupied the highest judicial office.

In December, Chandrachud had approached his successor, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, requesting permission to remain in the official residence until April 30.

Khanna granted the request, and the housing ministry approved the extension with a nominal fee of Rs 5,000 per month.

Later, Chandrachud verbally asked Khanna for an extension until May 31, which was granted with the stipulation that no further extensions would be permitted.

In April, he informed Khanna in writing that he was in the process of finding alternative accommodation suitable for his daughters and requested to stay until June 30, according to reports.

His two successors, Khanna and the current Chief Justice BR Gavai, opted not to move into the Krishna Menon Marg residence, choosing instead to remain in their previously assigned homes.