Latest news with #DhananjayaYChandrachud
Hindustan Times
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Have 2 daughters with special needs': Ex-CJI Chandrachud explains delay in vacating official residence
After the Supreme Court administration wrote to the Centre seeking the vacating of official residence of Chief Justice of India, Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud responded citing personal reasons for his extended stay at the bungalow. Chandrachud clarified that the issue has been discussed with the judges and officers of the Supreme Court. (PTI) Chandrachud said that the delay was due to the requirements of his family, adding that he has 'two daughters with special needs'. 'My daughters have severe comorbidities and genetic problems – particularly nemaline myopathy, for which they are being treated by specialists at AIIMS," the former CJI said. He said that it was taking time to find a house appropriate for the family, while acknowledging that it was a 'personal issue'. Chandrachud further clarified that this has been discussed with the judges and officers of the Supreme Court. While asserting that he fully aware of his responsibilities having "occupied the highest judicial office', he said that he would move in a few days. Also Read | DY Chandrachud asked to vacate Delhi CJI bungalow: What are the rules? 'To be sure, former CJIs in the past have been allowed extended time to retain government accommodation post-retirement, often to facilitate transition or address personal exigencies,' Chandrachud said. Supreme Court's letter to the Union Government The top court, in a July 1 letter to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), asked for the Bungalow No. 5 on Krishna Menon Marg in Lutyens' Delhi – designated for the sitting CJI – to be vacated immediately. While Chandrachud left office eight months back, he still resides in the Type VIII Bungalow, with his two successors – Justices Sanjiv Khanna and the incumbent Bhushan R Gavai – opting to continue living in the bungalows alloted to them earlier. According to the SC's letter, Chandrachud had written to then CJI Khanna on December 18, 2024, asking for an extension of his stay at the bungalow till April 30, 2025. He had cited stalled renovation work due to pollution-related restrictions under GRAP-IV at his newly alloted Bungalow No. 14 on Tughlak Road as the reason for the request. The CJI approved the request, with the MoHUA allowing the retention on the licence fees of ₹5,430 per month. Following this, Chandrachud had made an oral request to continue staying at the residence till May 31, 2025, which was permitted with a caveat stating that no further extension would be granted.
Mint
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Ex CJI Chandrachud explains delay in vacating official residence: ‘Have 2 daughters with special needs'
After the Supreme Court administration wrote to the Centre seeking the vacating of official residence of Chief Justice of India, Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud responded citing personal reasons for his extended stay at the bungalow. Chandrachud said that the delay was due to the requirements of his family, adding that he has 'two daughters with special needs." 'My daughters have severe comorbidities and genetic problems – particularly nemaline myopathy, for which they are being treated by specialists at AIIMS," the former CJI said. He said that it was taking time to find a house appropriate for the family, while acknowledging that it was a 'personal issue'. Chandrachud further clarified that this has been discussed with the judges and officers of the Supreme Court. While asserting that he fully aware of his responsibilities having "occupied the highest judicial office', he said that he would move in a few days. 'To be sure, former CJIs in the past have been allowed extended time to retain government accommodation post-retirement, often to facilitate transition or address personal exigencies,' Chandrachud said. The top court, in a July 1 letter to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), asked for the Bungalow No. 5 on Krishna Menon Marg in Lutyens' Delhi – designated for the sitting CJI – to be vacated immediately. While Chandrachud left office eight months back, he still resides in the Type VIII Bungalow, with his two successors – Justices Sanjiv Khanna and the incumbent Bhushan R Gavai – opting to continue living in the bungalows alloted to them earlier. According to the SC's letter, Chandrachud had written to then CJI Khanna on December 18, 2024, asking for an extension of his stay at the bungalow till April 30, 2025. He had cited stalled renovation work due to pollution-related restrictions under GRAP-IV at his newly alloted Bungalow No. 14 on Tughlak Road as the reason for the request. The CJI approved the request, with the MoHUA allowing the retention on the licence fees of ₹ 5,430 per month. Following this, Chandrachud had made an oral request to continue staying at the residence till May 31, 2025, which was permitted with a caveat stating that no further extension would be granted. (The story was first published in the Hindustan Times)
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First Post
06-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
SC writes to centre to vacate official CJI bungalow still occupied by ex-Chief Justice Chandrachud
The Supreme Court has asked the central government to urgently vacate the official residence meant for the Chief Justice of India, which is still occupied by former CJI Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, nearly eight months after his retirement. read more The Supreme Court has taken the unusual step of asking the Union government to urgently vacate the official Chief Justice's residence, which is still occupied by former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, reported the Hindustan Times. In a letter dated July 1, the Supreme Court wrote to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), requesting that Bungalow No. 5 on Krishna Menon Marg in Lutyens' Delhi — the designated house for India's sitting CJI — be handed back immediately. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'I am to request you to take 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,' the letter from a Supreme Court official to the MoHUA secretary stated. Justice Chandrachud, who served as the 50th CJI from November 2022 to November 2024, continues to live in the Type VIII bungalow nearly eight months after retiring. His two successors — Justices Sanjiv Khanna and the current CJI Bhushan R Gavai — have chosen not to move into the Krishna Menon Marg house and have stayed in their previous official residences instead. According to the letter, Justice Chandrachud had written on December 18, 2024, to then CJI Sanjiv Khanna, seeking permission to stay at 5 Krishna Menon Marg until April 30, 2025. He explained that although he had been allotted Bungalow No. 14 on Tughlak Road under Rule 3B of the Supreme Court Judges (Amendment) Rules, 2022, renovations at the new house were delayed because of pollution-related construction bans under GRAP-IV.
Hans India
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Supreme Court Administration Demands Former Chief Justice Vacate Official Residence
The Supreme Court administration has taken an unusual step by formally requesting the central government to immediately reclaim the official Chief Justice residence from former CJI Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, who has continued to occupy the property well beyond the permitted timeframe. In a July 1 letter addressed to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Supreme Court has demanded the immediate vacation of Bungalow No. 5 on Krishna Menon Marg, which serves as the designated residence for India's sitting Chief Justice. The communication emphasizes that Justice Chandrachud has exceeded both the specifically granted permission period and the statutory six-month limit outlined in the 2022 Rules. Justice Chandrachud, who held the position of 50th Chief Justice from November 2022 to November 2024, continues to reside in the Type VIII bungalow nearly eight months after stepping down from office. The situation has been complicated by the fact that both his successors, Justices Sanjiv Khanna and current CJI Bhushan R Gavai, have chosen to remain in their previously allocated residences rather than move into the official CJI accommodation. The timeline of permissions reveals a series of extensions that have now been exhausted. Initially, Justice Chandrachud sought permission in December 2024 to remain in the Krishna Menon Marg residence until April 30, 2025, citing renovation delays at his alternative accommodation on Tughlak Road due to pollution-related construction restrictions. This request was approved by the then CJI and subsequently sanctioned by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for a monthly license fee of ₹5,430. Following this initial extension, Justice Chandrachud made an oral request to extend his stay until May 31, 2025, which was granted with the explicit condition that no further extensions would be permitted. The administration's letter notes that this final deadline has also lapsed, prompting the formal intervention. The regulatory framework governing such accommodations is clear: Rule 3B of the Supreme Court Judges (Amendment) Rules, 2022, allows retired Chief Justices to retain Type VII accommodation for a maximum of six months post-retirement. Justice Chandrachud's entitlement under this rule expired on May 10, 2025, yet he continues to occupy the superior Type VIII residence. When approached for comment, Justice Chandrachud explained that the delay stems from compelling personal circumstances that have been communicated to the Supreme Court administration. He revealed that he has already been allocated alternative government accommodation on rent, but the property requires extensive renovation after being vacant for approximately two years. The former Chief Justice also disclosed deeply personal reasons for the extended timeline, relating to his family's special circumstances. He has two daughters with severe medical conditions, including nemaline myopathy, who require specialized care and treatment at AIIMS. These special needs have necessitated careful consideration in selecting appropriate housing that can accommodate their requirements. Justice Chandrachud emphasized his understanding of the responsibilities associated with his former office and assured that the matter would be resolved within days. He referenced historical precedents where former Chief Justices have been granted extended accommodation periods to facilitate transitions or address personal emergencies. The formal letter from the Supreme Court administration represents an unprecedented intervention to reclaim the highest judicial residence from a former occupant. While informal extensions and grace periods are not uncommon in judicial and bureaucratic circles, such formal action seeking urgent government intervention is virtually unheard of at this level. The situation highlights the practical challenges that can arise when personal circumstances intersect with official protocols, particularly in cases involving family members with special needs. It also underscores the administrative complexities surrounding high-profile government accommodations and the delicate balance between compassionate considerations and regulatory compliance. As the matter moves toward resolution, it serves as a reminder of the various pressures and responsibilities that continue to affect former holders of constitutional offices, even after their tenure has concluded.
Mint
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Supreme Court admin seeks removal of ex-CJI Chandrachud from official residence
The Supreme Court administration has taken the unprecedented step of writing to the Union government seeking the official Chief Justice residence be urgently vacated and returned to the court's housing pool, noting that its current occupant —former CJI Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud — has stayed beyond the permissible period. A July 1 communication from the Supreme Court, seen by HT, to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has demanded that Bungalow No. 5 on Krishna Menon Marg in Lutyens' Delhi -- the designated residence for India's sitting CJI, be vacated immediately. '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,' read the letter from a Supreme Court official to the MoHUA secretary. HT has seen this letter. Justice Chandrachud, who served as the 50th CJI between November 2022 and November 2024, currently occupies the Type VIII bungalow nearly eight months after demitting office. Two successive CJIs — Justices Sanjiv Khanna and the incumbent Bhushan R Gavai — chose not to move into the premises, opting instead to continue living in their previously allotted bungalows. When contacted, Justice Chandrachud attributed the delay to compelling personal circumstances of which the Supreme Court administration was fully informed. He clarified that he had already been allotted alternative accommodation by the government on rent for a limited period, and was only waiting for it to be made livable after years of disuse. As per the July 1 communication, on December 18, 2024 -- just over a month after he retired, Justice Chandrachud wrote to then CJI Khanna, seeking permission to continue residing at 5 Krishna Menon Marg until April 30, 2025. In his letter, Justice Chandrachud said that although he had been allotted Bungalow No. 14 on Tughlak Road in accordance with Rule 3B of the Supreme Court Judges (Amendment) Rules, 2022, renovation work at the new residence had been stalled due to pollution-related construction restrictions under GRAP-IV. 'It would be more convenient if I am permitted to retain the existing accommodation at 5 Krishna Menon Marg till 30 April 2025,' wrote Justice Chandrachud, while offering to forgo the Tughlak Road bungalow so it could be allotted to another judge. Rule 3B of the 2022 Rules permits a retired Chief Justice to retain Type VII accommodation, which is a notch below the Krishna Menon Marg bungalow (Type VIII), for a maximum of six months post-retirement. In the wake of the then CJI's nod, MoHUA approved the retention of the Type VIII bungalow at Krishna Menon Marg by Justice Chandrachud from December 11, 2024, to April 30, 2025 on payment of licence fees of ₹ 5,430 per month. This was conveyed by MoHUA to the Supreme Court via a letter dated February 13, 2025. The July 1 letter added that Justice Chandrachud subsequently made an oral request to the CJI to continue residing at the same premises until May 31, 2025, which was granted with a caveat -- no further extension would be allowed as other judges, elevated in the interim, were living in guest houses or waiting for a bungalow allotment. The July 1 letter further underscores the breach of both the permission timeline and the statutory framework. It notes that Rule 3B entitles a retired Chief Justice to only a Type VII residence for six months, a period that ended for Justice Chandrachud on May 10, 2025. The communication also clarified that while the Krishna Menon Marg residence was permitted due to 'special circumstances,' the understanding was that it would be vacated after the agreed-upon extension till May-end. With that deadline having lapsed, the administration has now pressed the ministry to 'take possession without any further delay' and confirm to the Supreme Court. The letter marks a rare instance of formal intervention by the apex court to reclaim its highest official residence from a former occupant, and that too a former CJI. While informal extensions and grace periods post-retirement are not uncommon in the judiciary or bureaucracy, a letter seeking urgent action is unheard of at this level. Justice Chandrachud said: 'I have already been allotted an accommodation by the government on rent and that house is currently under renovation because it was shut for the last at least two years. I informed the Supreme Court about this allotment, making it clear I will shift the very next day that the house is ready,' he added. Justice Chandrachud also shared that the delay was, in part, due to the needs of his family, particularly his two daughters, both of whom require special care. 'I have two daughters with special needs, which is why it has taken me some time to look for a house appropriate for their needs,' he said. 'My daughters have severe comorbidities and genetic problems – particularly nemaline myopathy, for which they are being treated by specialists at AIIMS. I totally understand it is my personal issue. But I should also make it clear why it has taken me so long to look for a house, and this is something I have already discussed with the judges and the officers in the Supreme Court.' The former CJI maintained that the issue would soon be resolved and that he remained fully aware of the obligations that came with his past office. 'It is a matter of just a few days and I will shift… I have occupied the highest judicial office and I am completely cognisant of my responsibilities. To be sure, former CJIs in the past have been allowed extended time to retain government accommodation post-retirement, often to facilitate transition or address personal exigencies,' Justice Chandrachud emphasised. The former CJI further cited an April 28 letter that he wrote to the then CJI, Justice Khanna, informing him that he was in the process of shortlisting accommodation, given the special needs that his daughters had, seeking extension till June 30.
