Former Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, has responded to the recent controversy over the delay in vacating his official residence, emphasizing his respect for institutional colleagues and citing personal family challenges as the reason for the extension. He maintained that current Chief Justice BR Gavai has a right to his opinion, following remarks perceived as a critique of the delay.
The issue gained attention after a comment made by CJI Gavai during Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia’s farewell. “See, some people vacate the next day,” CJI Gavai had remarked, which was widely interpreted as a reference to Justice Chandrachud. CJI Gavai further stated he would “for sure vacate” his own official residence within the stipulated time following his retirement this November.
In an interview with Lallantop, when asked if CJI Gavai’s comment was directed at him, the former Chief Justice declined to enter into a direct confrontation. “Look, I wouldn’t like to comment on anyone,” Justice Chandrachud stated. “You mentioned that maybe the Chief Justice of India said something at Justice Dhulia’s farewell. That is his opinion. I may or may not agree with it. But I respect every organ of our institution. Everyone has the right to express what they think.”
He further added, “I once held the same position that CJI Gavai currently holds. In any institution, we must respect our colleagues (former judges); only then can the institution sustain.”
The situation had previously escalated when the Supreme Court administration wrote to the Centre in July, noting that the allotted time for Justice Chandrachud to vacate the CJI’s official residence at Krishna Menon Marg had expired. Justice Chandrachud subsequently vacated the residence in August.
Addressing the reasons for the delay, Justice Chandrachud detailed the personal difficulties his family faced. “I want to tell you the reality of being a parent,” he said, explaining the challenges related to his two specially-abled daughters who suffer from nemaline myopathy, a condition with no known cure.
“People think that if you have been Chief Justice of India, you are at such a high position. But we have two daughters who are specially-abled,” he explained. Justice Chandrachud said that he and his wife, Kalpana, inspected approximately 60 to 70 houses but struggled to find a residence suitable for his children’s needs and for his elderly, frail parents.
Given these circumstances, he confirmed that he requested a two-month extension to stay in the government residence, clarifying that he did not stay there free of charge during this additional period.
