CAG to do special audit of Arvind Kejriwal’s bungalow 'reconstruction'

The Comptroller and Auditor General will conduct a special audit into the alleged irregularities and violations in the reconstruction of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official bungalow. The move comes after the Ministry of Home Affairs approached the CAG after accepting Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena’s recommendation.

Following reports of Rs 44.78 crore being spent on the renovation of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence, Lieutenant Governor had last month directed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to secure and examine all relevant records within 15 days. The LG's office, in a letter dated April 27, highlighted the need to investigate alleged irregularities in the renovation of No.6 Flag Staff House, Civil Lines by the Public Works Department (PWD).

The refurbishment of Kejriwal's official bungalow sparked a political debate between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). 

The BJP accused Kejriwal of living lavishly while presenting himself as a common man, while the AAP argues that the renovation was necessary due to the age and structural issues of the residence. The AAP stated that the PWD recommended rebuilding the bungalow following multiple incidents of roof collapse.

In a letter addressed to the Lieutenant Governor, Ajay Maken, senior spokesperson of the Congress party, made startling claims regarding the expenditure on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence. Maken alleged that the actual amount spent was not Rs 45 crore but a staggering Rs 171 crore.

Maken expressed deep disappointment and grave apprehension over the "lavish" spending, as well as the environmental impact and the violation of heritage protection and zonal plans associated with the construction of the chief minister's residence in Delhi.

Highlighting that the renovation of the chief minister's house violates the Master Plan Delhi (MPD) 2021, Maken further alleges that it has been built within the Civil Lines Old Bungalow Zone, which is a protected area as per MPD 2021.

The AAP has countered these claims by asserting that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence was originally constructed in 1942 and has experienced multiple instances of roof collapse. As a result, the Public Works Department recommended the construction of a new house, according to the party's statement.