Delhi Chief Secretary Occupies Bungalow Built on Demolished 15th-Century Monument
Delhi Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma has moved into a government bungalow in southeast Delhi's Jal Vihar area, near Lajpat Nagar, which is embroiled in a major controversy. The property was allegedly constructed by Udit Prakash Rai, the former CEO of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), after razing an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-listed 15th-century monument. Sources within the government confirmed that Verma took up residence over a month ago, following the allotment of the property at a recent DJB board meeting.
Property Vacant Since Former DJB CEO Moved Out in September 2023
The bungalow had remained vacant since Rai and his family vacated it in September 2023, after his suspension by the Union Home Ministry. A Delhi government official stated that the property was allotted to Verma "as it had to be put to some use." Verma did not respond to calls and messages seeking his comment on the matter.
Heritage Structure Demolished for Illegal Construction
According to official records, the site originally housed a monument and a gateway listed in ASI records, described as a "mahal" dating back to the Sayyid dynasty in 1418. In 2023, it came under scrutiny when it was revealed that Rai had allegedly ordered the demolition of this heritage structure to build government accommodation for himself while heading the Jal Board.
In April 2023, the vigilance department issued a show-cause notice to Rai, highlighting severe violations:
- Rai was eligible for a Type-V government accommodation of 106 square metres but constructed and occupied a bungalow with a built-up area of 700 square metres on a plot of 5,500 square metres.
- The construction cost was approximately Rs 4 crore, as per the department's findings.
- The notice cited both the demolition of the ASI-listed structure and the excess construction as grounds for action.
The notice detailed that after a site visit in January 2021, the archaeology department had written to DJB, seeking possession of the monument and gateway for conservation. However, when officials returned in January 2023, they found the monument had been completely demolished.
Legal Actions and Subsequent Vacancy
In May 2023, the vigilance department issued show-cause notices to five officers for alleged "connivance" in Rai's illegal construction. Rai responded by filing complaints with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the then Lieutenant Governor, V.K. Saxena, claiming a "biased inquiry" and harassment of his family.
His wife, Shilpi Udit Rai, who was living in the bungalow with their children, approached the Delhi High Court with a petition challenging the show-cause notice. In August 2023, the court directed the couple to shift to another government accommodation. Following his suspension on July 31, 2023, Rai and his family moved out two months later, leaving the bungalow vacant with its power and water connections disconnected.
Failed Proposals for Repurposing the Property
Over the past year, DJB explored several options to repurpose the controversial property. Proposals included converting it into:
- A laboratory-cum-training centre.
- A government guesthouse.
- A training facility for engineers and human resource officials.
However, none of these proposals were finalized, leading to the recent decision to allot the bungalow to Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma. This move has reignited concerns about the handling of heritage sites and government accountability in Delhi.
