The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has directed the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to conduct a detailed probe into the alleged merger of several government properties to expand the 6, Flagstaff Road bungalow where Arvind Kejriwal stayed as the Chief Minister from 2015 till he stepped down in October 2024. It has also asked the CPWD to look into the expenditure incurred on renovating the property that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has dubbed “Sheesh Mahal”.

BJP leader and Rohini MLA Vijender Gupta, based on whose complaint the CVC ordered a “full-scale” investigation on February 13, said, “The Aam Aadmi Party should not be under the illusion that it will get away after looting the public.”

Reacting to the development, AAP urged the BJP to abandon “negative politics” and focus on fulfilling the promises made to Delhi’s people.

In his complaint to the CVC, the BJP leader alleged that Mr. Kejriwal had circumvented building regulations by demolishing four government properties and merging them with the 6, Flagstaff Road bungalow to construct a “lavish mansion covering 40,000 square yards”.

A May 2023 report by the Directorate of Vigilance, commissioned by Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena, found that the Civil Lines bungalow was constructed by the Public Works Department for ₹52.71 crore.

War of words

Addressing a press conference, AAP’s chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar asked the BJP why it had barred media from inspecting the CM House if it had been built in violation of rules. “I challenge the BJP to reveal whether claims of a ‘golden toilet’, ‘swimming pool’, and ‘mini-bar’ were facts or just political theatrics. But they did not let mediapersons into the bungalow to check for themselves,” Ms. Kakkar said.

The Rohini MLA has alleged that expenses incurred in revamping the bungalow include ₹77 lakh on a television set and ₹12 lakh on toilet seats.

Ms. Kakkar sought a detailed probe into the renovation of “₹2,750-crore Raj Mahal”, referring to the “opulent” official residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav welcomed the investigation and said that “the truth must come out”.