The Supreme Court docket administration has sought the holiday and return of the bungalow allotted to former Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, whereas he was in workplace, to its housing pool. Sources say the transfer comes within the wake of pressing demand for lodging for sitting judges of the courtroom which is functioning with a power of 33, just one lower than the sanctioned 34.
In a July 1 letter to the Secretary, Ministry of Housing and City Affairs, the Supreme Court docket administration identified that the time allowed for the previous CJI to vacate the official lodging had already expired.
Rule 3B of the Supreme Court docket Judges Guidelines, 2022, permits retired CJIs to retain their bungalow for as much as six months after retirement. At present, 5, Krishna Menon Marg, is designated because the official residence of the CJI.
Justice Chandrachud, who retired as CJI in November 2024, wrote to his successor Justice Sanjiv Khanna on December 18, 2024, looking for time till April 30, 2025, to vacate the place, and this was allowed.
On April 28, Justice Chandrachud wrote once more to then CJI Khanna, looking for time till June 30, citing issue find an appropriate lodging that may additionally cater to the wants of his two daughters with particular wants.
Reached for feedback, Justice Chandrachud stated he obtained no reply to that communication dated April 28. He added that he had a telephonic dialog with the incumbent CJI B R Gavai as effectively, and knowledgeable him that the federal government had allotted him an lodging on hire. As a consequence of some repairs that needed to be carried out, the contractor had promised handy it over by June 30, he stated.
“It’s now solely a matter of some days and we’re ready for the okay phrase from the contractor. Perhaps some work remained and that’s why the delay,” he stated.
Story continues under this advert
Justice Chandrachud stated the lodging allotted to him was in a state of disuse for nearly two years, and that’s the reason repairs must be carried out. He stated the “grant of extension (to judges to remain of their official lodging) isn’t an distinctive factor”.
He identified that he was earlier staying at 14, Tughlaq Street residence, which is a transit lodging for judges and had determined in opposition to shifting out from there even after turning into CJI because the household appreciated the place.
“However a couple of months after turning into CJI, I realised that the place is simply too small for official work. Even then, I moved into 5, Krishna Menon Marg, just one 12 months after turning into the CJI,” Justice Chandrachud stated.
He added that when he grew to become a choose of the Supreme Court docket, he was staying within the Uttar Pradesh Sadan for nearly six months earlier than he was allotted a bungalow.
Story continues under this advert
Supreme Court docket sources, in the meantime, stated that with the courtroom functioning with 33 judges, there may be at all times a requirement for lodging for the judges.
The sources added that the Supreme Court docket administration is awaiting a response to the letter despatched on July 1.