By The Sampadak Express
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has ordered an investigation into the renovations of the former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence, located at 6, Flagstaff Road, following a factual report submitted by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). The renovation, which has raised several questions, has come under scrutiny due to allegations that it violated building norms, leading to the transformation of the bungalow into a lavish structure, nicknamed the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ by the opposition.
Allegations and Probe Details
The investigation was initiated on February 13, after CPWD conducted a detailed inquiry into allegations that the bungalow’s renovation involved “flouting building norms” and the annexation of surrounding government properties. According to the report, the bungalow was extended to cover more than 40,000 square feet of land, or approximately 8 acres, raising concerns about its scale and the legality of the alterations.
The bungalow at 6, Flagstaff Road served as the official residence of Arvind Kejriwal during his tenure as Delhi’s Chief Minister from 2015 until his resignation in October 2024. After Kejriwal vacated the residence following his resignation, the extravagant nature of the renovations came under public scrutiny, especially as it coincided with the BJP’s aggressive political campaign in the run-up to the recent Delhi Assembly elections.
BJP’s Allegations and Call for Action
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been vocal in its criticism of Kejriwal over the renovation of the bungalow, which they have referred to as the “Sheesh Mahal.” BJP leaders, including newly elected MLA Vijender Gupta, have accused Kejriwal of expanding the residence unlawfully by merging four government properties. These properties included eight Type-V flats at 45 and 47 Rajpur Road, and two other government bungalows, 8-A and 8-B Flagstaff Road.
In a letter to Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, Gupta urged the cancellation of the merger of these properties. He described the alterations as illegal, asserting that what was once a standard government residence had been transformed into a sprawling, ultra-luxurious complex. He further alleged that the bungalow now spans more than 50,000 square meters, a significant increase from the original size.
Gupta’s letter also highlighted the unauthorized nature of the renovations, particularly the annexation of the nearby government properties, which he believes was done without proper approval. He appealed to the Lieutenant Governor to intervene and restore the properties to their original independent status, and to return 6, Flagstaff Road to its previous area of less than 10,000 square meters.
Political Repercussions
The “Sheesh Mahal” controversy has had political ramifications, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also criticizing Kejriwal’s lavish residence. During the election campaign, Modi accused Kejriwal of prioritizing his luxurious mansion while leaving the common people in distress, with many still lacking proper housing. The BJP used the “Sheesh Mahal” issue as a key political tool to highlight what they described as Kejriwal’s “arrogance” and “corruption.”
Kejriwal’s transformation of the bungalow has been widely portrayed as an example of excess, with the BJP claiming that the official residence was turned into a symbol of the Delhi Chief Minister’s extravagant lifestyle. The saffron party further criticized Kejriwal for allegedly diverting public resources to create a palace-like residence for himself.
Future Implications
The CVC probe into the renovations will likely have significant political and legal implications for Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The outcome of the investigation could lead to further scrutiny of the former Delhi Chief Minister’s tenure and the legitimacy of his property dealings.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the demand from the BJP to restore the merged properties to their original state adds fuel to the political fire, with both parties gearing up for further confrontations.
