CVC Orders Probe Into Renovations At Kejriwal's 'Sheesh Mahal' After Complaint By BJP's Vijender Gupta

CVC has directed the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to conduct a detailed inquiry into alleged corruption related to Arvind Kejriwal's government residence.

File photo of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Source : PTI

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has ordered an investigation into the renovation of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s government residence at 6 Flag Staff Road, Civil Lines. 

The CVC has directed the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to conduct a detailed inquiry into alleged corruption related to Kejriwal's residence during his CM tenure. The probe was ordered on February 13 after the CPWD submitted a factual report on Kejriwal's official residence which was undertaken after a complaint by BJP MLA Vijender Gupta against the 'Sheesh Mahal'.

It was alleged that "building norms were floated to construct a lavish mansion (Sheesh Mahal) covering 40,000 square yards (8 acres)."

On CVC ordering a probe into Kejriwal's residence, BJP leader Vijender Gupta said: "AAP and Arvind Kejriwal's corruption regarding the 'Sheesh Mahal' is now out in the open. The CVC has taken cognizance based on facts. I wrote two letters on October 14 and 21 to the CVC... I wrote to the CVC that the area of 'Sheesh Mahal' was originally less than 10,000 gajj, but the adjacent bungalows and 8 type-5 flats were vacated and merged within it. The area increased by close to 50,000 gajj."

Calling the structure "illegal", he added: "I also wrote that unaccounted luxury items worth crores were installed... Based on the two letters I wrote, CVC has asked the CPWD to give a factual report... The CVC has ordered a probe on the basis of the report submitted by the CPWD..."

Timeline Of Actions Taken By CVC

On October 14, Vijender Gupta had filed a complaint with the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) regarding illegal construction at the former residence of ex-Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He alleged that the AAP chief flouted building regulations to construct a lavish mansion.

The complaint highlighted that government properties, including Plot Nos. 45 and 47 on Rajpur Road, which previously housed senior officers and judges in Type-V flats, and two bungalows (8-A & 8-B, Flag Staff Road), were demolished and merged into the new residence for Kejriwal. Gupta said that this violated the ground coverage and floor area ratio (FAR) norms and also lacked approvals for proper layout plan.

Thereafter, the CVC registered a complaint for further examination on October 16. 

On November 5, the CVC formally acknowledged receipt of the complaint and forwarded to the CPWD for further investigation. The CVC assured appropriate action will be taken based on a factual report. 

BJP leader Vijender Gupta then lodged a formal complaint with the Vigilance Commission on October 21 regarding extravagant spending on the renovation. In this complaint, Gupta alleged that Kejriwal spent crores of taxpayers' money on luxurious amenities for his residence. He alleged corruption stating that the expenditures exceeded reasonable limits.

Thereafter, the CVC took cognisance of Gupta's complaint and acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations on November 5. A month later, a factual report was submitted by the Chief Vigilance Officer, CPWD to the CVC.