The central government has initiated an investigation into suspected irregularities concerning the renovation of the former official residence of ex-Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. This decision follows a factual assessment submitted by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) on February 13.

The CPWD has been instructed to carry out an in-depth probe into claims that construction regulations were breached during the redevelopment of the residence located at 6 Flagstaff Road. The property, reportedly spread over 40,000 square yards (approximately 8 acres), has been criticized by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which labeled it the “Sheeshmahal”, implying excessive luxury.

On Monday, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva requested Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to revoke the consolidation of four government-owned plots with the 6 Flagstaff Road property. In his letter to the Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Sachdeva asserted that the expansion of the residence had been achieved by unlawfully combining these four public properties.

He further declared that if the BJP secures power in Delhi, the incoming Chief Minister would not occupy the controversial residence.

The refurbished bungalow served as Mr. Kejriwal's official residence from 2015 until October 2024. He vacated the property after stepping down as Chief Minister under mounting political pressure from the BJP. The party had heavily focused on alleged corruption during its campaign leading up to the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections.

A report released by the Public Works Department (PWD) in October 2024 detailed the upscale renovations and installation of premium fixtures at the bungalow. This report became a pivotal element in the BJP's offensive against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during an election rally, indirectly criticized Mr. Kejriwal, remarking, “In the past decade, Delhi has suffered from an 'AAPda' (calamity). AAP has become a disaster for the city. I could have built a palace of glass, but I chose to provide over 4 crore homes for the underprivileged.”

Mr. Kejriwal dismissed the accusations as politically driven, accusing the BJP of resorting to personal attacks to distract from its alleged governance failures in the capital.

For more than two years, the BJP had consistently targeted Mr. Kejriwal over allegations of financial mismanagement and opulent refurbishments of his residence. This sustained campaign appeared to resonate with voters, as the BJP ended the AAP's dominance in Delhi and reclaimed power after a gap of over 26 years. The BJP secured 48 seats in the 70-member Assembly, while AAP managed to win 22 seats, and the Congress drew a blank.