SC Administration Moves to Evict Former CJI Chandrachud from Official Residence

In a rare and pointed move, the Supreme Court administration has formally written to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), requesting immediate possession of the designated Chief Justice’s residence at 5 Krishna Menon Marg, currently occupied by former Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud.

The letter, dated July 1, notes that Justice Chandrachud has remained in the official Type VIII bungalow well beyond the permissible period following his retirement in November 2024. “I am to request you to take the possession of Bungalow No. 5, Krishna Menon Marg, from Hon’ble Dr. Justice DY Chandrachud without any further delay,” the letter states, adding that both the extension granted to him and the six-month period under Rule 3B of the 2022 Supreme Court Judges (Amendment) Rules have expired — the former on May 31, 2025, and the latter on May 10, 2025.

Justice Chandrachud, who served as India’s 50th CJI from November 2022 to November 2024, continued residing at the official residence even as two successive CJIs — Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Bhushan R. Gavai — chose to remain in their previously allotted homes, leaving the CJI-designated bungalow unoccupied for official use.

Responding to the development, Justice Chandrachud explained that his extended stay was due to compelling personal reasons, which had been duly communicated to the SC administration. He further noted that he had been allotted an alternative residence at 14 Tughlak Road, but renovation work there was delayed due to pollution-related construction restrictions under GRAP-IV.

He had, in a letter dated December 18, 2024 — just over a month after his retirement — sought permission from then CJI Sanjiv Khanna to retain the Krishna Menon Marg residence until April 30, 2025. Though the request was granted, the period has since lapsed.

The Supreme Court’s firm step to reclaim the official residence highlights growing concerns over administrative protocols being followed post-retirement, especially for top constitutional officeholders.