DY Chandrachud and his wife adopted the two girls while he was serving at the Allahabad High Court. The girls suffer from a rare genetic disorder called nemaline myopathy, which affects muscle development.
NEW DELHI: Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud recently opened up about his personal struggles and the larger societal neglect towards persons with disabilities.
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Speaking at a panel discussion titled “Disability Rights & Beyond,” organised by Mission Accessibility, he shared the difficulties he and his wife Kalpana Das are facing in finding a suitable home in Delhi for their two adopted daughters, Priyanka and Mahi, who have special needs.
The former CJI will vacate his official residence by April 30 and is looking for a private house that can accommodate his daughters’ needs.
“We have two beautiful daughters, who have needs, but it has been difficult to find a house to cater to their needs. Every public space is the same. For too long, our society has kept the disabled under the curtain of ignorance and suppression,” he said.
DY Chandrachud and his wife adopted the two girls while he was serving at the Allahabad High Court. The girls suffer from a rare genetic disorder called nemaline myopathy, which affects muscle development.
Recalling their adoption journey, he shared a moving memory: “Initially they were just bones and flesh. The mother had completely ignored them thinking they were a lost cause,” he said.
He recalled taking them to various hospitals for difficult procedures and medical tests.
He remembered one touching moment when “My older daughter kept saying I don’t want my sister to go through this.”
Despite these emotional and physical challenges, Chandrachud noted how the girls have brought a positive transformation in the family. They introduced the family to veganism and a greater respect for animals and the environment. He credited them for giving a new direction to their lives.
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The event began with Advocate Rahul Bajaj, co-founder of Mission Accessibility, giving the welcome speech. Chandrachud recalled a special moment when Bajaj, a Rhodes Scholar, expressed interest in working with him.
“I was wondering why someone would leave a Rhodes Scholarship to work with me. But my experience with him was truly enlightening,” he remarked.
Reflecting on his judicial career, the former CJI shared his thoughts on the influence of court decisions. “As a judge, you cannot imagine the impact of your judgments. There are ten reasons to deny relief, but we need just one good reason to give it.”
He also highlighted his initiative to introduce Mitti Café in the Supreme Court, a workplace that hires persons with disabilities.
“We wanted to show that disability is not a barrier. They are capable of leading a dignified existence—as service providers, not just service receivers,” he said.
He proudly shared that this idea also inspired the President of India to start a Mitti Café at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
DY Chandrachud urged the judiciary to prioritise disability-related matters, stressing the need for empathy on the bench.
“You need a bench with empathy. These are not like IBC matters. Disability law cuts across the societal gamut.”
He also referred to a change in judicial thinking, mentioning a time when the Supreme Court had ruled that blind persons could not become judges—a decision later reversed.
“What began as an isolated instance is now becoming a movement. Persons with disability are entitled as a matter of right, not as a matter of concession,” he said.
The former Chief Justice called for a relook at the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, noting how the employment landscape is changing.
“Employment is gradually shifting out of the public sector. We need to relook at the Act to include sanctions, voluntary compliance, and clear time schedules,” he suggested.
He recommended that the government should promote partnerships between academia and private companies and build a national platform for disability advocacy.
On mental health, he praised the Mental Healthcare Act, especially for removing criminal charges for attempted suicide.
“I think it’s now important to accept that mental health is under serious stress in urban environment. Legal profession is the chief amongst them. It’s understood that if you go to a law firm, you will have to work on all days. By saying we should have a 70 hour work week, you are not doing any service to a labour surplus economy. For every person who leaves, there will be someone who replaces them,” he explained.
He said the legal profession should be more inclusive and that lawyers with disabilities should be hired for all kinds of work—not just for pro bono tasks. He also supported the use of technology to improve accessibility.
The former CJI proposed mandatory accessibility audits for public buildings and recommended teaching basic sign language in schools.
The event also saw the launch of a new law firm, Zen Access Law Associates, founded by Rahul Bajaj and Amar Jain—both lawyers with disabilities. This for-profit firm will focus on corporate law, intellectual property rights, and litigation but will be open to all, showcasing the strength of inclusion.
Justice Chandrachud ended with a powerful message on collective responsibility: “The court is just one avenue for change. Let’s not belittle the role of civil society.”
