Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal bungalow renovation scandal: Three engineers suspended for role in 'illegalities'

Three engineers have been suspended by India's Central Public Works Department (CPWD) for their alleged involvement in illegalities related to the renovation of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence.

Chief engineer, Pradeep Kumar Parmar and superintending engineer, Abhishek Raj and Ashok Kumar Rajdev were suspended andsaid to be instrumental in the construction of Kejriwal’s bungalow.

The three engineers along with five others, according to CPWD violated rules and escalated costs"in the name of superior modifications on the instructions of CM Kejriwal."

These engineers allegedly colluded with the Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) minister and green-lit the construction of Kejriwal's new bungalow by citing an urgency clause, even though there was no real urgency, according to the vigilance department.

The construction happened at a time when the finance department had been issuing orders on budget cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Out of the five other engineers, three have already been suspended on the directions of the LG, while a recommendation has been made to CPWD to initiate action against one engineer, who has now retired,” the officials said, as per India TV.

“Since the two engineers – Parmar and Abhishek Raj - belong to the CPWD and are currently posted outside Delhi, the Vigilance Department, on the directions of LG, VK Saxena, had requested the Director General (CPWD) to suspend and initiate major penalty against Pradeep Kumar Parmar and Abhishek Raj. While Parmar is currently posted in Guwahati, Abhishek Raj is posted in Kharagpur,” they added.

According to the vigilance department, crores of rupees were spent on high-end featuresincludingdecorative work, premium flooring, high-quality wooden doors, automatic sliding glass doors, sheer curtains with fabric curtain tracks and motors, wool carpets, artistic mouldings, defogger glass in toilets and bathrooms, as well as sauna baths and jacuzzis.

The matter is currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

(With inputs from agencies)