Monument razed to build DJB CEO’s mansion: Delhi BJP chief asks L-G to initiate probe

The monument was a “Pathan period” Mahal dating back to 1418 when the Sayyid dynasty ruled Delhi. Located in South East Delhi’s Jal Vihar near Lajpat Nagar, it finds mention in the ASI’s List of Muhammadan and Hindu monuments, Vol. IV and is called Mahal.

Sachdeva stated, “It is shocking that the DJB carried out this blatant act of demolishing a protected monument during the critical Covid phase of 2021 and thereafter speedily got a 600-square metre bungalow constructed there.”

Arguing that construction of a bungalow with such dimensions usually costs around Rs 15 crore, Sachdeva questioned how the budget for it got sanctioned and also questioned Rai’s and the then-Minister in-charge of the DJB, Satyendar Jain, in sanctioning of funds to this end.

“It is surprising that the DJB fearlessly demolished the protected monument without the approval of the Archeological Survey of India, did not seek approval of the Delhi Urban Arts Commission or the erstwhile South Delhi Municipal Corporation for construction of the bungalow,” Sachdeva stated.

Requesting the LG to order a high-level probe in the matter, Sachdeva sought to underline that the issue had come to light a day after the revelation of a Rs 45 crore “beautification scam” at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence.