New Delhi: Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on Saturday ordered an investigation into the renovations of 6 Flagstaff Bungalow, the former official residence of ex-Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The directive came after Central Public Works Department (CPWD) submitted a factual report about the upgrades carried out at the property.
CVC instructed the CPWD to conduct a detailed probe into allegations that building norms were violated to construct a lavish mansion spanning 40,000 square yards, which is approximately 8 acres. The accusations suggest that the renovations were excessive and did not adhere to standard regulations. The bungalow, which spans over 40,000 square yards (8 acres), has been criticized by the BJP as an “extravagant mansion” and labeled a “Sheesh Mahal” (palace of glass).
BJP’s allegations against Kejriwal
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva recently urged Lt Governor VK Saxena to cancel what he termed the unauthorized merger of four government properties with the 6 Flagstaff Road Bungalow. He alleged that the expansion of the bungalow violated regulations and demanded action against the officials involved.
In his letter to the Lt Governor, Sachdeva also announced that the BJP’s next Chief Minister, if elected, would not occupy the bungalow, signaling a strong stand against the alleged misuse of government resources.
This bungalow, located in a prime area of Delhi, served as the official residence of Arvind Kejriwal during his tenure as Chief Minister. Reports claimed that substantial modifications were made to the property, turning it into a sprawling, luxurious mansion.
The bungalow served as Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence from 2015 until October 2024, when he vacated it after stepping down as Chief Minister. The move came under the shadow of mounting political pressure and allegations of corruption from the BJP.
In October 2024, a PWD report revealed luxurious renovations and high-end appliances installed in the bungalow, fueling BJP’s claims of misuse of public funds. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during an election rally, took a dig at Kejriwal, saying, “I could have built a ‘Sheesh Mahal,’ but I chose to build homes for over 4 crore poor families instead.”
Arvind Kejriwal’s response to BJP’s allegations
Arvind Kejriwal had dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, accusing BJP of launching personal attacks to divert attention from its own failures. He said that BJP was using these claims to tarnish the image of the AAP and distract voters from pressing issues in Delhi.
The CPWD’s detailed investigation will determine whether government regulations were bypassed during the renovations and if public funds were misused. The findings of the probe are eagerly awaited, as they may have further implications for both the AAP leadership and the officials involved in the project.
