The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has ordered the Public Works Department (CPWD) to investigate the renovation of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence at 6, Flagstaff Road. The BJP has named it ‘Sheesh Mahal’ and had also raised the issue of money spent on it during the elections. BJP leader and Rohini MLA Vijender Gupta said that the corruption of AAP and Arvind Kejriwal regarding ‘Sheesh Mahal’ has now come before everyone. Gupta said that the CVC, taking cognizance of their two complaints, has directed to investigate the alleged merger of properties for the expansion of the bungalow and the expenditure incurred on its interior. The BJP has also said that the party’s Chief Minister will not stay in this bungalow. Kejriwal had vacated this bungalow after resigning from the post of Chief Minister in October 2024.
Gupta had written in his complaint to the CVC that the area of ‘Sheesh Mahal’ was actually less than 10,000 sq yards but its area was increased by encroaching on the adjoining property. In his complaint to the CVC, the newly elected BJP MLA from Rohini alleged that Kejriwal had violated building rules to build a luxurious palace covering 40,000 sq yards (8 acres) of land. Government properties including plots no. 45 and 47 on Rajpur Road (earlier housing senior officers and judges in Type-V flats) and two bungalows (8-A and 8-B, Flagstaff Road) were demolished and merged with the new residence. In another complaint, Gupta has alleged ‘excessive expenditure’ on renovation and interior decoration of the bungalow at 6, Flagstaff Road. The MLA claimed that on the basis of the letters written by him, the CVC has asked the Public Works Department to submit a report with facts.
Sirsa welcomes the investigation
BJP MLA from Rajouri Garden Manjinder Singh Sirsa has welcomed the order to investigate the ‘Sheesh Mahal’. He said that he was surprised to know that the area of the bungalow is 8 acres. He said why Arvind Kejriwal needed an 8-acre house to live in. He said that the Vigilance should also investigate the luxurious items installed inside the bungalow.
Political experts believe that the AAP leadership is facing allegations of corruption for election funds, destroying the party’s internal democracy, encouraging flattery and personal loyalty and adopting a lavish lifestyle like the average political leadership in India. Due to this, the middle class started losing faith in AAP, especially party supremo Arvind Kejriwal. The election results show that the party’s support has also decreased among the lower classes living in less developed colonies and slums, although it has also benefited them a lot. The reason for this is the politics of patronage and clientelism that AAP has encouraged. AAP’s reputation among the people has fallen due to serious allegations of corruption against senior AAP leaders including Kejriwal. Now he may have to go to jail because of the ‘Sheesh Mahal’. How ruthlessly do Indian political leaders spend the money given by the tax payers?
