Speaker Prem Singh’s house is a showroom of violations

For the last 47 years, Delhi Assembly Speaker Chaudhary Prem Singh has not lost an election from Ambedkar Nagar. But there’s one other ...

For the last 47 years, Delhi Assembly Speaker Chaudhary Prem Singh has not lost an election from Ambedkar Nagar. But there’s one other tag the 10-time Congress MLA would prefer not to showcase—owner of F-301, his home in South Delhi’s Lado Sarai, that also houses an unauthorised handicraft showroom.

The Indian Express team visited Chaudhary’s home turf—dotted by hoardings in celebration of Chaudhary’s birthday on December 20—and came across a new tourist destination. Inaugurated on November 21, Best of India showroom is spread across the basement, ground and first floors of the house—Singh and family live in one portion. This, in an ‘‘urbanised village’’ where rules don’t permit any commercial activity.

The first floor—as the Express team found while tagging along with a busload of tourists—offers diamonds, jewellery and wooden furniture for sale. In the basement is the textile section: quilts and sarees. ‘‘The store is doing very well. Chaudhary Prem Singh stays here,’’ says a salesperson.

The rules Singh has broken:

Story continues below this ad

• Violation 1: ‘‘Lado Sarai falls in the category of an urbanised village. No commercial activity is allowed in such areas.

	‘Leave the Speaker alone, at least’

			• Despite repeated attempts, Chaudhary Prem Singh declined to comment. Said Singh’s official media advisor, Mahesh Maurya: ‘‘Please leave the Speaker alone, at least.’’ Later, an aide said: ‘‘The Speaker is not willing to talk.”

Even mixed use of residential and commercial activity is not permissible,’’ says R B S Bansal, executive engineer, MCD (South Zone).

• Violation 2: ‘‘Only storage is allowed the basement,’’ says Bansal, when told about the textile section operating from there.

Story continues below this ad

MCD officials now say they would inspect the property soon. “There is no sanction for any such activity from a residential property. It’s unauthorised. The property in question will be inspected soon,’’ says Ajey Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, MCD (South Zone).

Incidentally, Chaudhary has a 50-year-old link with the MCD—he was the youngest member of the Corporation in 1958 and 1962.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the designation gives law enforcement “enhanced powers to combat a group that has instilled fear through violence and intimidation”.

Canada designates Lawrence Bishnoi gang a terrorist entity

Cities2 hr ago

The Canadian government has labeled the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist group, granting authorities more authority to combat their violent behavior. The gang, operating in British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta, has been connected to 50+ violent incidents since 2023.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS