Supreme Court Designates Two Lutyens' Bungalows as Official Residences for Chief Justice of India

New Delhi: The Supreme Court registry has taken a decisive step to address accommodation delays for incoming Chief Justices of India by designating two Lutyens' bungalows as official residences for the country's top judge.

Current regulations allow retired Supreme Court judges six months to vacate their official accommodations after retirement, which has previously resulted in significant waiting periods before new chief justices could occupy their designated residences.

Justice Surya Kant, who will be sworn in as India's 53rd Chief Justice on Monday, will reside at 19, Akbar Road in Lutyens' Delhi rather than the traditional 5, Krishna Menon Marg bungalow that previously served as the sole official residence for Chief Justices.

According to senior Supreme Court sources, the 5, Krishna Menon Marg property has been allocated to Justice Vikram Nath, the senior judge who will succeed Justice Surya Kant when he completes his approximately 14-month tenure as Chief Justice.

Historically, 5, Krishna Menon Marg functioned as the official CJI residence, while the neighboring 7, Krishna Menon Marg served as the CJI Secretariat. The Supreme Court Registry has now informed the Centre of its decision to allocate this second bungalow to a Supreme Court judge.

Sources reveal that the registry assigned the 19, Akbar Road bungalow to Justice Surya Kant more than a year ago. This two-story residence features extensive office space, and several months ago, the registry requested establishment of a temporary secretariat at this location, similar to the one already existing at 5, Krishna Menon Marg.

An official explained, "Both residences can, thus, now function as the Chief Justice of India's official accommodation."