Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud has confirmed that he will soon vacate his official residence at 5, Krishna Menon Marg, New Delhi, following public scrutiny over his extended stay post-retirement. The announcement comes a day after he cited the special medical needs of his two daughters, Priyanka and Mahi, as the primary reason for the delay.
Justice Chandrachud, who demitted office on November 8, 2024, stated that his family had already packed their belongings and begun transitioning to a paid government accommodation. He emphasized that the delay was due to the need for a wheelchair-accessible and hygienic living space, essential for his daughters who suffer from nemaline myopathy, a rare genetic disorder affecting skeletal muscles.
In a detailed statement, the former CJI explained that his daughters require constant medical supervision, including respiratory, neurological, and speech therapies. One of them is attached to a tracheostomy tube and has difficulty swallowing, necessitating a specialized care environment.
Justice Chandrachud also recalled past instances where former CJIs, including Justices U.U. Lalit and N.V. Ramana, were granted extensions to remain in official residences due to personal exigencies. He noted that his request for an extension had been approved by then CJI Sanjiv Khanna, citing stalled renovation work at his newly allotted residence on Tughlak Road due to pollution-related restrictions under GRAP-IV.
The Supreme Court administration had recently written to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, urging immediate vacation of the bungalow designated for the sitting CJI. Chandrachud responded by assuring that the move would be completed within weeks, once the new residence is ready for occupation.
The former CJI expressed disappointment over the public discourse surrounding the issue, stating, “I won’t tell you how I feel, but you can imagine… We are the parents of two children with special needs. They deserve a safe and suitable home”.
