Atishi trespassed, Delhi bungalow not Chief Minister's home: Lt Governor's office

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi shifted to bungalow number 6 on Flagstaff Road in Civil Lines earlier this week, days after her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal vacated it. Atishi had illegally occupied the property as it was not officially designated to her, sources in the Lt Governor's office said on Wednesday.

In Short

• AAP accuses Lt Governor of orchestrating Atishi's eviction
• Atishi illegally occupied bungalow at 6, Flagstaff Road, sources say
• Bungalow in question is not official residence of Chief Minister, sources add

The AAP on Wednesday alleged that luggage and belongings of Delhi Chief Minister Atishi were thrown out of bungalow number 6 on Flagstaff Road on Civil Lines. But while the AAP called the bungalow the Chief Minister's official residence, sources in the Lieutenant Governor's Office said that the bungalow in question is not the Chief Minister's house and can be allotted to anyone.

Atishi had illegally occupied the property as it was not officially designated to her, sources added.

“Atishi trespassed at 6, Flagstaff Road. The bungalow was never designated for her occupancy, despite her request to the Public Works Department (PWD),” sources from the Lieutenant Governor’s office told India Today TV. “If someone trespasses onto a property, the owner is entitled to take action.”

Sources said that the residence in question had previously been occupied by former Speaker Chaudhary Prem Singh and indicated that there are no restrictions on who may be allotted the bungalow in the future. “6, Flagstaff Road is not the Chief Minister’s house, and it can be allotted to anyone,” the source emphasised.

Earlier today, the AAP levelled allegations against Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, claiming that he orchestrated the eviction of Chief Minister Atishi from her official residence at 6, Flagstaff Road.

A spokesperson for the Delhi Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated that Atishi's belongings were forcibly removed under orders from the Lt Governor’s office, describing the act as “a clear attempt by the BJP to take control of the Chief Minister's official residence.”

However, sources in the Lt Governor's office stated that, like other government property, the house belongs to the Public Works Department (PWD). Once vacated, PWD will take over the property and will conduct an inventory, following which it will be reassigned.

"Former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal never handed over the property to the PWD after vacating it, raising questions about potential hidden motives. While Chief Minister Atishi's official residence is currently at 17 AB Mathura Road, she briefly moved her belongings into the 6 Flag Staff Road property without formal allotment. The bungalow will be allotted once the PWD completes its process," the sources stated.