Supreme Court writes to Centre, seeks removal of ex CJI DY Chandrachud from official residence
PTC News Desk:The Supreme Court administration has written a letter to the Centre urging immediate action to vacate Bungalow No. 5, Krishna Menon Marg and return tot he court's housing pool. The residence is currently occupied by former CJI DY Chandrachud.
According to the Supreme Court administration, Justice Chandrachud has overstayed in the residence exceeding the permitted period. Under Rule 3B of the 2022 Supreme Court Judges Rules, a retired Chief Justice is allowed to retain official accommodation for up to six months post-retirement.
The letter submitted to the Housing Ministry has called for the possession of the bunglow from Justice Chandrachud "without any further delay."
"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," says the letter from a Supreme Court official to ministry's secretary.
Meanwhile, Justice Chandrachud said personal circumstances led to the delay and that the Supreme Court administration was informed about this. He said he did not want to overstay in the government accommodation. "But my daughters need a home with special needs. I have been roaming around since February. I have also tried service apartments and hotels, but none of them worked out," he said.
The former CJI said that he had written to his successor, then Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna that weather he can retain the Krishna Menon Marg from December 11, 2024, to April 30, to which Justice Khanna agreed and said the official residence can be retained on the license fees of Rs 5,430 per month.
Justice Chandrachud, the letter added, then made an verbal request to the then Chief Justice to allow him to stay on till May 31 this year. This, too, was approved, but with a caveat that no further extension would be allowed.
- PTC NEWS
