The journey from ‘Sheesh Mahal’ to the guest house! State Guest House will now be built on the bungalow where political conflict took place. Arvind Kejriwal’s bungalow at 6 Flagstaff Road will now change its appearance, know the government’s big plan regarding the disputed house.
Arvind Kejriwal Sheesh Mahal: The most famous and mysterious address of Delhi politics – 6 Flagstaff Road. This is the same bungalow which kept the biggest decisions of the Delhi government imprisoned within its walls for a decade. From 2015 onwards, former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal lived in this bungalow with all his might. But the wheel of time turned in such a way that amidst allegations and political turmoil, this bungalow became vacant in October 2024. Now a news has come from the corridors of Delhi Government regarding this deserted bungalow which was lying deserted for months and shrouded in mystery, which has shocked even the political pundits.
New avatar of ‘Sheesh Mahal’: Will the traces of luxury worth crores be erased?
The bungalow which the opposition used to call ‘Sheesh Mahal’ as a symbol of corruption, has now been decided to be converted into a state guest house and cultural center forever. According to senior Delhi government officials, the bungalow is being redeveloped with gleaming modern amenities, huge parking space and a luxurious waiting hall. Now no Chief Minister or politician will live permanently at this place, rather it will be used to accommodate VVIP ministers, official delegations, special guests and senior government officials coming from India and around the world, for which regular fees will also be charged.
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That night of suspense… when the budget of Rs 7 crore suddenly became Rs 33 crore!
After all, why was there so much ruckus about this bungalow? This suspense was lifted when a highly confidential and sensational report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) was presented on the table of the Delhi Assembly. The figures of the report left everyone numb. When the contract for renovation of this bungalow was given in the year 2020, the initial estimate was only Rs 7.91 crore. But as the Public Works Department (PWD) completed its work in 2022, the total cost on its file had increased to Rs 33.66 crore—a whopping increase of more than 340% from the original estimate!
Secret of ‘antique and decorative’ things: Secrets worth Rs 19 crore were hidden behind the walls
Another most shocking revelation was made in the CAG investigation report. Out of the huge sum of Rs 33 crore, about Rs 18.88 crore was spent only on purchasing and installing things of “better specification, artistic, antique and decorative”. Not only this, due to this renovation, the built-up area of the complex increased by more than one-third from 1,397 square meters to 1,905 square meters. BJP made this an issue and circulated small models of it among the public during the Assembly elections 2025 and named it ‘Sheesh Mahal’ and directly made serious allegations of corruption.
‘Invisible’ guard of 10 employees: Why are ACs running daily in the empty bungalow?
Even though the bungalow is vacant, the suspense inside it still persists. According to sources, currently more than 10 special staff are deployed round the clock to take care of this luxurious complex. These employees not only do daily sweeping and dusting, but also keep the electrical appliances like expensive refrigerators and dozens of air conditioners (ACs) installed inside the bungalow running smoothly so that they do not get damaged. It seems as if the bungalow is still standing with its eyelids open to welcome its special guest.
New hideouts of Lutyens’ Delhi: Where is the AAP chief hiding now?
After this all-round political siege and resignation from the post of Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal was forced to leave this bungalow. After this, this biggest face of politics went for some time to take shelter in the government bungalow of former party MP Ashok Mittal at 5 Ferozshah Road near Mandi House. But the suspense did not end here; Kejriwal has now completely shifted to a house in 95, Lodhi Estate, a highly secured area of Lutyens’ Delhi, which is a very VIP government bungalow of Type-VII category. Now it remains to be seen that after this ‘Sheesh Mahal’ becomes a guest house, will this genie of Delhi politics be calmed down forever?