DY Chandrachud overstayed in CJI's official residence: SC urges Centre to ensure his bungalow is vacated

"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 as not only the permission that was granted for retention... has expired on 31st May, 2025, but also the period of six months provided in Rule 3B of the 2022 Rules has expired on 10th May, 2025," a Supreme Court letter to the union housing ministry's secretary said.

The Supreme Court currently has 33 judges, including the Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai.

This is one less than the sanctioned strength of 34 judges.

Four judges of the Supreme Court have not been allocated government accommodation so far.

Hence, the apex court is in urgent need of the Krishna Menon Marg bungalow, which is the Chief Justice's official residence.

DY Chandrachud retired on November 10, 2024. According to government rules, a serving Chief Justice is entitled to a Type VIII bungalow during his tenure.

Following retirement, he/she can stay in a Type VII government bungalow rent-free for a period of up to six months.

In this case, Justice Chandrachud has stayed in the Type VIII bungalow he was allotted as Chief Justice six months after his retirement.

The possible reason behind his overstaying is that his two successors in the top post -- former Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and current Chief Justice BR Gavai said they would not move into the 5, Krishna Menon Marg bungalow and continued in their earlier accommodation.