In an unusual move, the Supreme Court administration has formally written to the Centre, requesting the recovery of the official Chief Justice of India (CJI) residence from former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, who has allegedly overstayed well beyond the permitted duration following his retirement on November 10, 2024.
According to Rule 3B of the Supreme Court Judges (Amendment) Rules, 2022, a retired CJI may retain government accommodation—a Type VII bungalow—for up to six months rent-free. However, Justice Chandrachud continues to occupy the Type VIII bungalow at 5, Krishna Menon Marg, the designated residence for the sitting CJI, nearly eight months after his retirement.
In a letter dated July 1, 2025, addressed to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Supreme Court administration noted that both the six-month statutory period (which ended May 10) and a special extension granted until May 31 have elapsed. The letter urged that the residence be vacated “without any further delay” so it can be returned to the Court’s housing pool—highlighting that four sitting judges are currently without permanent official accommodation, with three staying in transit flats and one in a state guest house.
Justice Chandrachud has attributed the delay to personal circumstances, particularly the special needs of his daughters, and the ongoing renovation of his allotted post-retirement bungalow. He said he had kept the Court informed throughout and affirmed his commitment to vacate immediately once the new house is ready: “I will shift the very next day.”