Delhi PWD drafts plan to put bungalow dubbed ‘Kejriwal's Sheesh Mahal’ to commercial use

The Delhi government is examining a proposal to commercially utilise the former chief minister's official residence at 6, Flagstaff Road in Civil Lines by leasing it to a hospitality operator while retaining the premises for official meetings, conferences and other government functions, according to Public Works Department (PWD) officials. The sprawling bungalow, which served as former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence, became a political flashpoint after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of spending heavily on luxury renovations, dubbing it the "Sheesh Mahal".

PWD minister Parvesh Verma said the government was considering partnering with an established hospitality company to professionally operate and maintain the property. "We are exploring the possibility of engaging companies that specialise in hospitality management. The property currently incurs significant maintenance costs. If it can be maintained professionally while also generating revenue for the government, it would be a more efficient model," Verma said. The proposal marks the latest attempt by the BJP-led Delhi government to repurpose the high-profile Civil Lines residence after coming to power last year.

Earlier ideas included converting the bungalow into a state guest house and cultural centre, or transferring it to the Centre in exchange for multiple government residences from the central housing pool. Officials said the PWD is preparing a detailed proposal covering the legal, financial and operational aspects of the plan. The framework will be placed before the government once the necessary technical and administrative details are finalised. The department is also planning to complete an unfinished camp office located within the same premises. The building, once completed, could be used for official government events or leased out for private functions to create an additional source of revenue.

Construction of the two-storey camp office, spread over nearly 1,500 square yards, began during 2021-22 but was halted after multiple inquiries were launched into alleged irregularities linked to the renovation of the chief minister's residence. According to information previously tabled in the Delhi Assembly, nearly ₹25 crore had already been spent before work was suspended, while the project's overall estimated cost was close to ₹60 crore. The Flagstaff Road residence figured prominently in the run-up to the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, with the BJP alleging that between ₹45 crore and ₹52 crore of public funds had been spent on luxury interiors and premium fittings. The party repeatedly referred to the property as the "Sheesh Mahal".

The renovation subsequently came under scrutiny from several agencies, including inquiries initiated by the Lieutenant Governor, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), over alleged financial irregularities and possible violations of building norms. The AAP has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that the BJP exaggerated the expenditure figures and politicised the issue.