CVC Launches Probe into Arvind Kejriwal's 'Sheesh Mahal' Renovations

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has launched an investigation into the renovations of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence at 6 Flagstaff Road. This action follows a factual report submitted by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), which flagged concerns over alleged violations of building norms during the construction of what has been described as a lavish mansion.

The CPWD’s report claims that the bungalow underwent alterations, spanning an area of 40,000 square yards (around 8 acres), to transform it into an extravagant property. The residence served as Kejriwal’s official home during his tenure as Chief Minister of Delhi from 2015 until October 2024, when he vacated the bungalow after resigning from his post.

This investigation comes shortly after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made public calls for action against the renovations. BJP leaders, including newly elected MLA Vijender Gupta, have accused Kejriwal of merging multiple properties into the bungalow to expand it. Gupta has urged Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (LG), VK Saxena, to cancel the merger of four government properties with the bungalow, which is also referred to as ‘Sheesh Mahal’ by the opposition.

Gupta alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader had illegally annexed neighbouring government properties, turning the once-standard official residence into a luxurious complex. “What was meant to be a standard official residence has been transformed into a lavish complex spanning more than 50,000 square meters,” Gupta claimed in his letter to the LG.

The properties involved in the merger include eight Type-V flats located at 45 and 47 Rajpur Road, as well as two other government bungalows at 8-A and 8-B Flagstaff Road. Gupta has called for these properties to be restored to their original, independent status, and for the area of the Flagstaff Road bungalow to be reduced to its previous size of under 10,000 square meters.