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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23-year-old woman found dead at Delhi home; suicide suspected
New Delhi (PTI): A 23-year-old woman was found dead in her house in Delhi's Prem Nagar area, with police suspecting it to be a case of suicide, an official said on Tuesday.
The deceased, identified as Anjali Singh, was found motionless in her room on Monday by her sister and her neighbour.
Police said her father, Vinod Kumar Singh (51), told them that he and his wife were away at work at the time of the incident, while their son and the other daughter were also not at home at the time of the incident.
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According to the family, the room in which Anjali was found was locked from the inside. The door was later forcibly opened by a neighbour and her sister with the help of a crowbar.
Her body was found lying on the bed inside the room, police said.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that Anjali had allegedly hanged herself using a piece of cloth tied to the ceiling fan.
It is suspected that the noose eventually might have loosened or torn off, resulting in her being found lying on the bed.
Family members informed the police that Anjali was a final-year student of a librarian science course from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). About a week ago, her final-year examination results were declared, and she had failed, following which she had been under depression, they said.
The family has not raised any allegation of foul play, police said, adding that no suicide note or external injury marks were found on the body during the initial inspection.
Inquest proceedings have been initiated in the matter as per the law. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death, and further investigation is underway, police added.
