The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has ordered an investigation into the renovation of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's bungalow located at 6 Flag Staff Road. This directive follows a report from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), which indicated that several regulations were violated during the construction of the bungalow, which spans 40,000 square yards (8 acres).
Prior to the Delhi assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that over Rs 45 crore was spent on the bungalow's renovation, dubbing it "Kejriwal's Sheeshmahal." Kejriwal resided in this bungalow from 2015 to 2024.
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva had lodged a complaint with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, claiming that Kejriwal's bungalow was constructed by unlawfully merging four government properties and demanded the cancellation of this process. He said that the new Chief Minister should not occupy this bungalow after taking oath.
Residence transformed into a luxury resort: BJP
The BJP accused Kejriwal of transforming the residence into a luxury resort under the guise of repairs. On December 9, 2024, the BJP released a video showcasing the opulent interiors of the Chief Minister's residence, criticizing Kejriwal for his previous statements against living in government accommodations while allegedly creating a lavish environment.
Sachdeva has urged Kejriwal to explain the expenditure of approximately Rs 45 crore on the bungalow's decoration, particularly during a time when public development projects were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The controversy surrounding the "Sheeshmahal" first emerged in May 2023 when Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena asked CBI Director Praveen Sood with investigating the renovation case. In September 2023, the CBI reported that Kejriwal had allegedly used government funds for the CM residence's renovations during the pandemic.
Before his initial term as Chief Minister in December 2013, Kejriwal lived in the Kaushambi area of Ghaziabad and later resided in a house on Tilak Lane in central Delhi. Following the Aam Aadmi Party's majority win in February 2015, he moved to the bungalow at 6 Flag Staff Road in the Civil Lines area of North Delhi.
Prakash Kumar Pandey
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