Former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud seeks special number plate for new Mercedes, sparks controversy
New Delhi: Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud is once again at the centre of public attention, this time over a request for a special registration number for his newly purchased luxury car.
A letter dated July 28 from the Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court to the Delhi Transport Commissioner has surfaced, urging the department to allot a specific registration number for a new Mercedes Benz E220 owned by the retired CJI. The request for priority allocation of a VIP number has raised eyebrows, particularly because it came officially from the Supreme Court registry rather than from the individual concerned.
This is not the first instance where Justice Chandrachud has faced scrutiny over vehicle number plates. In 2024, a photograph of one of his cars bearing the registration DL1 CJI 0001 went viral on social media. The image was posted by businessman Lloyd Mathias, who wrote: “Saw then Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud at a private event in Delhi. Couldn’t help noticing the number plate: DL1 CJI 0001. Imagine if the Chief Election Commissioner’s car bore DL1 CEC 0001!”
Following the latest development, Mathias again took to social media, claiming that Chandrachud has a “long-standing fetish for VVIP number plates.” He also reshared the old photograph, remarking: “This was from 2024, when he was still CJI. He had assigned himself the ‘CJI’ plate.”
Adding to the controversy, this request for a preferential number plate comes at a time when questions are still being raised about Justice Chandrachud’s delay in vacating the official Chief Justice bungalow post-retirement. The Supreme Court had to write to the central government requesting immediate steps for the vacation of the residence.
Now, the fresh request made through the Supreme Court Registry has sparked a new wave of criticism, with many questioning whether this is a case of procedural normalcy or a reflection of lingering influence from his time in office.
Legal observers and social media users alike are divided: while some see the request as an administrative formality, others believe it reflects a misuse of institutional channels for personal preferences. Critics argue that former high-ranking officials should refrain from leveraging their previous positions for privileges not meant to extend beyond retirement.
The Transport Department is yet to officially respond to the letter or confirm whether the requested number will be allotted.
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Kangana Ranaut sparks row: Claims Gandhi made 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' the national anthem
New Delhi: A significant political controversy has erupted following the Modi government's decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a move that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. The row was further fueled by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, who, while defending the name change, erroneously claimed that Mahatma Gandhi had made the devotional song "Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram" India’s national anthem.
The central government has rebranded the flagship rural employment scheme from MGNREGA to the "Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission," abbreviated as VB-G RAM G. The removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme has been termed an insult to the Father of the Nation by the Congress and other opposition parties.
When questioned by the media outside Parliament regarding the opposition's allegations, Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut defended the government's decision by invoking Mahatma Gandhi's devotion to Lord Ram.
"How is naming it 'Ram Ji' an insult to Gandhi ji?" Ranaut asked. "Mahatma Gandhi made 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' the national anthem to organize the entire country. Therefore, this is an insult to Mahatma Gandhi? The government is fulfilling his dream by giving it the name of Ram."
Ranaut's claim regarding the national anthem was immediately seized upon by the opposition. Congress leader Supriya Shrinate shared the video of Ranaut’s statement on social media, tweeting sarcastically, "Come on brother, today we learned a new national anthem! The BJP is full of such gems."
Social media users also trolled the MP for the factual error. One user quipped, "Kangana ji forgot to mention that Bapu made this the national anthem after the country got independence in 2014," while another commented that the party finds people who "don't use their brains while forwarding WhatsApp messages."
Beyond the social media mockery, senior Congress leaders criticised the renaming on ideological grounds. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the move.
"The biggest irony is that Mahatma Gandhi was a lifelong devotee of Lord Ram and said 'Hey Ram' in his last moments," Gehlot wrote. "Today, the central government is making a despicable attempt to sideline Gandhi ji under the guise of the same 'Ram' name (VB-G RAM G), which is highly condemnable."
मनरेगा का नाम बदलने की केंद्र सरकार की कवायद महात्मा गांधी के प्रति उनकी ओछी मानसिकता और असम्मान का प्रमाण है। सरकार पहले 'पूज्य बापू' के नाम का शिगूफा छोड़ती है और फजीहत होने पर अब 'विकसित भारत-गारंटी फॉर रोजगार एंड आजीविका मिशन (VB-G RAM G)' जैसा नाम थोपना चाहती है। बार-बार नाम…
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) December 15, 2025
गांधी जी ने ‘रघुपति राघव राजा राम’ को लेकर नेशनल एंथम बनाया था
— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) December 16, 2025
BJP MP कंगना रनौत
चलो भाई आज नया नेशनल एंथम भी पता चला है!
BJP में एक से एक शिरोमणि भरे पड़े हैं 😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/9DvyV5xLb1
