It took just two days after Delhi Chief Minister Atishi moved into the Civil Lines bungalow—previously occupied by none other than her esteemed predecessor, Arvind Kejriwal—before she was kindly asked to vacate by officials of none other than the Public Works Department (PWD). A minor detail? Hardly. After all, this department falls under Atishi’s very own command. Ah, the irony of being shown the door by your own subordinates!

This peculiar episode is the latest in a saga of escalating tensions regarding the Chief Minister’s residence. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in its usual flair, claims that Atishi had dotted her i’s and crossed her t’s with the necessary formalities before moving in. Yet, the PWD sings a different tune, suggesting that an official “handover” from Kejriwal to the department had yet to happen. Perhaps they were waiting for a more ceremonial passing of the keys? Nonetheless, this confrontation is yet another clash between the elected government and the bureaucracy, with both sides brandishing their own versions of the truth like dueling knights at a medieval tournament.

For the record, PWD officials confirmed that the house has indeed been sealed. That’s right, the residence of Delhi’s newly-minted CM is locked up tighter than the city’s own traffic jams. But the show goes on.

In a statement that can only be described as dripping with melodrama, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) declared this event “unprecedented”—because when in doubt, make history. According to the CMO, “For the first time in the history of the country, the Chief Minister has been asked to vacate her house.” Naturally, this historic injustice was blamed on the Lieutenant Governor (L-G), whose allegiance to the BJP is well-known. The CMO added with great fervor, “The L-G has forcibly removed CM Atishi’s belongings at the behest of the BJP. Preparations are underway on behalf of the L-G to allot the CM’s residence to a big BJP leader. The BJP, which has been in exile in Delhi for 27 years, now wants to capture the CM’s residence.”

One can almost hear the violins playing in the background.

Of course, the L-G’s office remained tight-lipped, no doubt preferring to let the drama unfold without adding fuel to the fire.

Meanwhile, the day’s theatrical performance wasn’t complete without some visual cues. A humble cycle-rickshaw and a mini truck were spotted leaving the CM’s residence, carrying a cupboard and some nondescript cardboard boxes. Perhaps some personal mementos of Atishi’s brief, two-day reign over the Civil Lines bungalow? To add to the sense of an abrupt shutdown, a baggage scanner at the entry gate was covered with a white cloth—because if you’re going to seal a house, you might as well do it with style. Even the CM Camp office was unceremoniously closed, with staff being asked to leave the premises like a poorly-received dinner guest.

Kejriwal, fresh from his resignation on September 17—just days after being graciously released on bail—had vacated the Civil Lines residence last Friday. And in classic Kejriwal style, this episode wasn’t to end without leaving behind a trail of drama. Despite leaving the house, it seems the keys were still doing the rounds in a curious game of hide-and-seek between officials and the new CM, Atishi.

According to PWD officials, Atishi had the keys but not the prized official allotment letter—the golden ticket needed to claim the bungalow as her own. In what can only be described as another riveting chapter in this ongoing bureaucratic saga, a team of PWD officials reportedly visited the 6, Flagstaff Road bungalow at around 11-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. By the time the clock struck afternoon, they had managed to retrieve the keys from her. Efficiency at its finest, or perhaps a perfectly orchestrated spectacle?

But this isn’t the first time this particular bungalow has found itself under the public eye. Oh no, this residence has a history of making headlines, and not for the best reasons. Last year, Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party were embroiled in a controversy over alleged irregularities in the reconstruction of the building. It’s almost as if the house itself has become a symbol of the AAP’s questionable dealings.

For those keeping track, Kejriwal had been allotted this very house back in 2015. However, it wasn’t long before the old bungalow wasn’t quite up to the standards of Delhi’s high-flying political class. So, naturally, it was rebuilt in 2020-21. And, as is often the case with such grand renovations, allegations of irregularities and cost escalations soon followed like a bad smell. The Vigilance department, smelling something fishy, launched an inquiry, and in a move that can only be described as swift and decisive (by Delhi standards), 10 PWD officials faced disciplinary proceedings and suspensions. But wait, there’s more—the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is also hot on the trail, probing into the matter with all the zeal of a detective in a crime thriller.

If that weren’t enough drama for one bungalow, the Directorate of Vigilance jumped into the fray on Tuesday, issuing a show-cause notice to three officials. One of them, none other than the special secretary to the CM himself, was called out for not handing over the house keys “despite directions” from the PWD. Apparently, in the world of Delhi politics, holding on to a set of keys can be more contentious than a game of Monopoly. The other two officials who received notices were section officers who had been posted at the CM’s Camp Office during Kejriwal’s tenure—an era, it seems, rife with such peculiarities.

These officials now face the task of submitting their replies within a grand total of seven days. One can only wonder what elaborate explanations they’ll concoct to justify this curious case of key custody.

The show-cause notice regarding the ongoing saga of the 6, Flagstaff Road residence is as precise as it is damning. It clearly states, “The said structure/building at 6 Flag Staff Road has never been earmarked as the official residence of the Chief Minister of Delhi…” Quite a revelation for anyone who thought the grand residence was a legitimate part of the CM’s perks. But the notice doesn’t stop there; it goes on to explain that the matter is under scrutiny by the CPWD, CBI, and the Directorate of Vigilance, and has not yet reached a conclusion due to the numerous irregularities allegedly committed during the demolition, alteration, and addition/construction of this controversial bungalow.

It seems that while Kejriwal’s resignation was still fresh ink on the paper, a quick and coordinated attempt was made to pass the keys along to Atishi. According to the notice, Ramchandra M, the Additional Secretary to the CM, issued a note on October 4th to the PWD Principal Secretary, stating that the bungalow should be handed over to Atishi. Ever efficient, Kejriwal even assigned his trusty section officer to handle the formalities—because why let the small matter of an ongoing investigation slow down a smooth transition of power?

But the notice quickly throws a wrench into those plans. It highlights, “…the issue of irregularities committed in the construction of said bungalow is still under investigation and authorities concerned might have to take inventory of the said building and various items inside it…” Essentially, the PWD had written to the CM’s special secretary requesting the handover of keys, but in true AAP style, the keys were not forthcoming. Directions, apparently, are more like polite suggestions in Delhi’s political circles.

The notice also shines a harsh spotlight on the legitimacy of the entire construction project. The department stated that the building was constructed without any sanctioned plans from the PWD or any other relevant authority—something that would be considered illegal for the average citizen, but perhaps less concerning for a Chief Minister and his cronies. To top it off, no completion certificate had ever been issued for the building. A multi-crore structure erected without the most basic legal paperwork? Sounds about right in this grand political drama.

In the midst of all this, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva decided to wade into the issue with some sharp questions of his own. He didn’t mince his words during a press conference, asking why there was such a rush to take possession of the residence when the ink on Kejriwal’s resignation wasn’t even dry yet. “Kejriwal constructed the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ with public money. Now, after resigning from the post, what is the hurry to get possession without following rules? The people of Delhi have full right to know the truth… proper inventory of ‘Sheesh Mahal’ should be done,” he said, ensuring that the term ‘Sheesh Mahal’ (glass palace) sticks in the minds of the public, evoking images of grandeur built on the backs of taxpayers.

Of course, in typical fashion, the AAP has dismissed all of this as nothing more than noise. They maintain that the inventory and all other formalities were completed and that the BJP is simply clutching at straws over a non-issue. However, for a party that claims to be transparent and accountable, this does little to quell the suspicions surrounding the construction of Kejriwal’s glass palace.

In the end, the bungalow at 6, Flagstaff Road is more than just a residence—it has become a monument to the shady dealings and questionable practices that have become the hallmark of Kejriwal’s tenure. With both the BJP and the investigative agencies circling, one can only wonder how many more skeletons—or incomplete building plans—will be uncovered in the days to come.

Row over Delhi CM house: PWD claims keys not handed over after Kejriwal vacated, AAP says due process followed

A few days ago, Arvind Kejriwal, the former Chief Minister of Delhi, found himself at the center of yet another controversy—this time involving his official residence and the rather elusive handover of its keys. What started as a seemingly emotional farewell has quickly turned into yet another political spectacle.

In a well-choreographed PR stunt, Kejriwal was seen vacating his official residence with his wife, Sunita Kejriwal, making a grand gesture by symbolically handing over the keys to a PWD officer. The whole moment was captured on video, complete with a melancholic soundtrack that portrayed Kejriwal as the champion of truth and integrity. But, in typical Kejriwal fashion, things weren’t quite as they appeared. Despite the dramatic photo-op, the PWD soon claimed that the keys were never actually handed over to them, sparking a rather embarrassing situation for the former CM.

Not content with simply letting this slide, the PWD followed up by sending a letter to Kejriwal himself, asking him to return the keys to the official residence—suggesting that the post-photo-op handover had, in fact, not happened. The whole episode raised more than a few eyebrows, as once again, Kejriwal found himself accused of prioritizing optics over substance.

The Aam Aadmi Party, not one to let the narrative get away from them, quickly issued a counterstatement. The party claimed that the PWD had indeed handed over the keys to Kejriwal’s successor, Atishi, on October 6, and she had already begun moving in. Photos and videos of Atishi meeting with staff at the residence were promptly shared by the party, as if to solidify their claims. But as with most things involving the AAP, the story didn’t end there.

PWD officials were quick to refute the AAP’s version of events, stating that the keys had not yet been officially handed over to the department, as required by protocol. It seemed the mystery of the missing keys was far from over. In a letter to Pravesh Ranjan Jha, the Special Secretary to the CM Office, the PWD stated that on October 4, the keys were initially handed over but were later taken back, adding yet another layer of confusion to the drama.

The PWD further emphasized that with ongoing vigilance cases related to the construction of the residence, it was necessary to conduct a detailed inspection and take stock of the building’s inventory before any fresh allotment could be made. But that, apparently, had not yet happened.

To make matters even more interesting, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva had weighed in on the controversy, questioning the rush to take possession of the house, especially given the ongoing investigations surrounding its construction. Sachdeva’s remarks about Kejriwal’s “Sheesh Mahal” added fuel to the fire, as the BJP continued to demand transparency over the irregularities linked to the residence’s renovation.

The heart of the issue lay in the letter referring to the ongoing enquiry about the extravagant expenditure on reconstructing the CM’s house back in 2020-21. One would think that such matters would be straightforward, but not in the realm of Delhi’s politics.

According to the Principal Secretary of the PWD, A Anbarasu, the letter sent to the AAP had not been complied with. He pointed out in no uncertain terms that, “As per records, allotment letter and authorisation slip are yet to be issued.” In other words, all the formal paperwork was still missing. The official documents that should have tied everything up in a neat little bow were nowhere to be found. A minor oversight? Or perhaps a sign of something deeper, something the AAP might want to keep hidden?

In contrast, the Aam Aadmi Party maintained that all was well and above board. They insisted that due process had been followed, proudly waving around their so-called no-dues certificate as proof of Kejriwal’s impeccable record. According to AAP, this certificate showed that “former CM Kejriwal paid all water, electricity, and telephone bills associated with the CM residence.” Not only that, but they also claimed that the PWD had already issued a Vacation Report to Kejriwal, confirming the handover was done by the book.

The AAP’s version of events went something like this: a Junior Engineer from the PWD had inspected the residence, completed a thorough inventory check, and then issued the vacation report. Only after this did the PWD supposedly hand the keys over to Atishi. They framed it as a perfectly legal and seamless transition of power, with every box ticked. Of course, the convenient timing of the no-dues certificate, which was only issued on Monday, and the vacation report, issued on Saturday, raises more than a few questions.

Meanwhile, the BJP wasn’t about to let AAP off the hook so easily. They took the opportunity to criticize AAP’s swift move to get Atishi into the house, suggesting that there was something more sinister at play. According to BJP leaders, the rush to transfer possession was an attempt to hide what was inside the residence. Clearly, they implied, there were skeletons lurking in Kejriwal’s closet—figuratively speaking, of course.

As expected, AAP dismissed the BJP’s accusations, claiming the opposition was merely trying to mislead the people with false narratives. The party shot back, saying, “Each of their (BJP’s) conspiracies has been exposed and defeated… Kejriwal has shown why he is regarded as a politician of unwavering integrity.” It’s almost as if AAP has a script ready for such occasions—every controversy turned into a triumph for Kejriwal’s alleged honesty.

In the end, the drama surrounding the residence at 6, Flagstaff Road didn’t just highlight the absurdities of Delhi politics, but also served as yet another reminder of the murky dealings that seem to follow Kejriwal and his party. Whether or not AAP’s narrative holds up under scrutiny, one thing is clear: the key to this particular residence has unlocked far more than just a home—it has opened the door to yet another political circus.