Will vacate my official residence on time: CJI BR Gavai

Chief Justice of India (CJI BR Gavai on Thursday said that though he would not be able to find a suitable house by the time he retires in November, he will vacate his official residence within the time period allowed under the rules.

The comment appeared to be a dig at the former CJI DY Chandrachud, who retired on November 8, 2024, but vacated his official residence only a few days back.

A controversy had arisen after the Supreme Court administration under CJI Gavai wrote to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on July 1 seeking the immediate repossession of the Krishna Menon Marg bungalow.

CJI Chandrachud had later revealed that he had extended his stay at the official residence as he had found it difficult to find alternative housing arrangements that could accommodate the special needs of his two daughters, who have a rare medical condition.

Today, CJI Gavai, in a speech given at an event to bid farewell to Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, made it a point to comment that they would vacate their official residences in time.

"I have [known] Justice Dhulia when he came to the Supreme Court. I didn’t know him before...he is a very warm person and has dedicated his career to the judiciary. We will always remember his contribution to judiciary. After retirement, he will be one of the judges who will be vacating his accommodation immediately after his retirement," CJI Gavai said.

"As a matter of fact that is a rarity, which I would be in a position to do because till 24th November, I would not find time to find a suitable house. But I assure you, whatever time is permissible as per rules, I will be shifting before that," Justice Gavai added.

The farewell was organized by the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) for Justice Dhulia, who retires on August 9. Speaking at the event, CJI Gavai said that he would be meeting Justice Dhulia often after retirement.

"We were discussing the other day that though he is only two houses away from my house, we couldn't interact on many occasions —our profession is like that. After 24th November, we have decided, I will join in golf also and we will be meeting more often. I wish him all the best for his future," he said.

Everything that is for the benefit of a human being is my judicial philosophy, Justice Dhulia said at the event.

"If I have a judicial philosophy, then I can only say that my judicial philosophy is around human being. Everything which is for the benefit of human being is my judicial philosophy," he remarked.

Justice Dhulia also spoke about his decision on the Karnataka Hijab ban issue, when in 2022 he dissented with Justice Hemant Gupta and quashed the government ban on wearing hijab in educational institutions.

"Two or three speakers have spoken about Hijab. I wasn’t defending Hijab. What I was defending was the choice of women to wear Hijab. That was the difference," he said.

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