Struggling To Find Accessible Housing For Daughters With Special Needs, Says Former CJI DY Chandrach

Justice DY Chandrachud Opens Up on Personal Struggles and Disability Rights

 

Former Chief Justice of India, Dr. DY Chandrachud, recently shared a deeply personal account of his family’s ongoing struggle to find a home in Delhi that suits the needs of his two differently-abled daughters, even as he prepares to vacate his official bungalow by April 30.

 

Speaking at a panel discussion titled “Disability Rights & Beyond,” hosted by Mission Accessibility, Justice Chandrachud said, “We have two beautiful daughters, who have needs. But it’s been incredibly difficult to find a house that accommodates them. Every public space reflects the same story — our society has kept the disabled hidden behind a curtain of ignorance and neglect.”

 

He and his wife, Kalpana Das, adopted Priyanka and Mahi — both diagnosed with nemaline myopathy, a rare genetic neuromuscular disorder — during his time at the Allahabad High Court. Recalling the early days, he shared, “Initially, they were just bones and flesh. Their biological mother had given up on them, believing they were a lost cause.”

 

Yet, through pain and perseverance, the daughters not only survived but became a source of strength and change. “They brought compassion, veganism, and environmental awareness into our lives,” he said with pride, recounting the moment when the elder daughter once tearfully pleaded, “I don’t want my sister to go through this.”

 

Justice Chandrachud reflected on his judicial journey, emphasizing the lasting impact of judgments. “As judges, we often see ten reasons to deny relief. But we only need one good reason to grant it,” he said.

 

He also shared a memorable moment when Advocate Rahul Bajaj — a visually impaired Rhodes Scholar and co-founder of Mission Accessibility — reached out to him. “I wondered why someone would leave a Rhodes Scholarship to work with me, but Rahul’s presence was deeply enriching,” he noted.

 

Highlighting inclusion efforts, he spoke about launching Mitti Café in the Supreme Court, an initiative employing persons with disabilities — a model later replicated at Rashtrapati Bhavan. “We wanted to prove they can be dignified service providers, not just receivers,” he said.

 

Justice Chandrachud called for stronger focus on disability-related cases, distinguishing them from routine commercial matters. “You need a bench with empathy. Disability law cuts across society,” he insisted.

 

He praised the overturning of a previous Supreme Court ruling that barred visually impaired individuals from becoming judges, calling it a turning point. “This is not a matter of concession, but of rights,” he declared.

 

Advocating reforms to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, he stressed the need for amendments that introduce sanctions, encourage voluntary compliance, and ensure timely implementation — especially with employment shifting from the public to the private sector.

 

He also touched upon mental health, lauding the Mental Healthcare Act for decriminalizing suicide attempts but cautioning against rising work stress. “Promoting a 70-hour work week in a labour surplus economy does no good,” he said.

 

Justice Chandrachud concluded by urging the government to engage lawyers with disabilities in mainstream legal work — not just pro bono — and to make accessibility audits mandatory in all public spaces. He also recommended incorporating sign language education in school curricula, stating: “Inclusion must begin at the grassroots.”

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