Audit reveals lavish spending on Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence, sparks ‘Sheesh Mahal’ controversy
New Delhi: An audit of the official residence of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at 6, Flag Staff Road revealed extravagant expenditures, including Rs 96 lakh on main and sheer curtains, Rs 39 lakh on kitchen equipment, a minibar worth Rs 4.80 lakh, and silk carpets costing Rs 16.27 lakh.
These findings, linked to the renovation of the property, sparked the “Sheesh Mahal” controversy ahead of the 2025 Delhi elections.
Kejriwal vacated the residence after stepping down as chief minister following his release in the liquor policy scam case.
Initially estimated at Rs 7.91 crore in 2020, the renovation costs surged to Rs 8.62 crore when awarded, and ballooned to Rs 33.66 crore upon completion in 2022, according to findings cited by the Indian Express from the then Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Girish Chandra Murmu.
The audit highlighted exorbitant expenses, such as Rs 14 lakh for floor tiles initially estimated at Rs 5.5 lakh, a TV console worth Rs 20.34 lakh, gym equipment and a treadmill costing Rs 18.52 lakh, a round dining table priced at Rs 4.80 lakh, faux leather cladding worth Rs 5.45 lakh, and an L-shaped sofa at Rs 6.40 lakh.
Of the Rs 33.66 crore total expenditure, Rs 18.88 crore was spent on “superior specification, artistic, antique, and ornamental items,” categorized as “extra items.”
Other glaring additions included a prefabricated lift and sliding doors costing Rs 61 lakh, A-grade white Dior pearl marble, and prefabricated bathtubs and shower enclosures.
While inaugurating key development projects in Delhi on January 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised Kejriwal, saying he could have also built a “Sheesh Mahal” but chose instead to focus on housing for the people.
Responding to the remarks, Kejriwal retorted, “The talk of Sheesh Mahal does not behove a person who built a Rs 2,700-crore house for himself, travels in an Rs 8,400-crore plane, and wears a Rs 10-lakh suit.”
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