
New Delhi : Noting that former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has overstayed in the Chief Justice’s official residence. The Supreme Court administration has written to the Centre, urging it to ensure that the bungalow is vacated.
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 yet. While three of them are living in transit apartments of the Supreme Court, one is living in a state guest house, a highly-placed source.
Former Chief Justice of India 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.
Justice Chandrachud has stayed in the Type VIII bungalow he was allotted as Chief Justice for nearly eight months after his retirement. This has also been possible because his two successors in the top post — former Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and current Chief Justice BR Gavai chose not to move into the 5, Krishna Menon Marg bungalow and continued in their earlier accommodation.
In its July 1 letter, the Supreme Court administration has urged the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to get the bungalow vacated immediately. Justice Chandrachud said personal circumstances led to the delay and that the Supreme Court administration was informed about this. 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.
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