CAG reports on renovation of Kejriwal’s residence, dubbed ‘Sheesh Mahal’ by BJP, AAP’s Mohalla Clinics set to be tabled in Assembly

As a four-day Winter Session begins January 5, the Delhi Assembly is expected to see heated political debates with the government planning to table audit reports on the Mohalla clinics, operated by the previous AAP government, and the renovated bungalow of former CM Arvind Kejriwal, which has been previously dubbed as ‘Sheesh Mahal’ (glass palace) by the BJP, according to sources.

“The Fourth Session (Winter Session) of the Eighth Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi will meet in the Assembly House from January 5 to January 8,” Speaker Vijender Gupta said on Friday, adding that CAG reports will be tabled during the four-day session, without giving more details. “All administrative and procedural arrangements are being finalised in advance, including coordination across Secretariat branches, and logistical support to facilitate uninterrupted conduct of business,” Gupta said. The session will begin with an address by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena.

Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), the country’s supreme audit body, has submitted nearly a dozen audit reports to the Lieutenant Governor in recent years. But the previous AAP government had not tabled these reports in the Assembly, triggering a backlash from the BJP. In the run-up to the Delhi Assembly polls held earlier this year, the BJP had promised to table the CAG reports in the Assembly.

In the sessions held since it was elected to power in February, the BJP government has tabled reports on the mounting losses of DTC, irregularities in supply of liquor, increasing expenditure on subsidies, among others, highlighting the alleged lapses under the previous government.

The BJP had also raised objections to the expenditure on the renovation of Bungalow Number 6, Flagstaff Road, Civil Lines where the former CM lived.

The Indian Express had previously reported on the contents of the report on Kejriwal’s residence, which found escalation of cost of renovation. From preliminary estimates of Rs 7.91 crore, work was awarded at Rs 8.62 crore in 2020 and when it was completed by the Public Works Department (PWD) in 2022, the total cost was Rs 33.66 crore.

Devansh Mittal is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in the New Delhi City bureau. He primarily covers civic governance, urban infrastructure, and environmental policy in the National Capital Region.

Professional Background

Education: He studied Political Science at Ashoka University.

Core Beats: His reporting focus includes the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the Delhi Metro. He has also shown a strong specialization in environmental accountability, particularly during Delhi’s winter pollution crises.

Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)

His reportage in late 2025 has centered on the severe air quality crisis in Delhi and high-profile civic developments:

1. Environment & “Express Impact”

“Express Impact: Action cell, weekly inspections to rid Rohini of its dust” (Dec 21, 2025): Following his investigative report that flagged Rohini as a “dust bowl,” he covered the subsequent government action to set up a dedicated Dust Action Cell and mandate weekly joint inspections.

“Air toxic, Delhi govt makes 50% work from home a must” (Dec 17, 2025): Reporting on the mandatory WFH advisory and the Rs 10,000 relief announced for construction workers affected by the Stage 3 GRAP ban.

“Broken pavements, untarred roads: Why Delhi’s Rohini is a dust bowl” (Dec 18, 2025): A ground-zero report detailing how dug-up roads and unfinished civic works have worsened air pollution in North West Delhi.

2. Urban Governance & Infrastructure

“New Metro museum at Supreme Court station opens for public on December 19” (Dec 18, 2025): Reporting on the relocation and inauguration of the iconic Metro Museum by CM Rekha Gupta.

“Data shows surge in sale of DDA flats in last three years” (Dec 15, 2025): An analytical piece on how the DDA has begun clearing its massive unsold inventory of housing through new schemes.

“Birth to death services under one roof: How Delhi’s expansion to 13 districts makes citizen lives easier” (Dec 12, 2025): Detailed coverage of the administrative reorganization of Delhi into three new districts (Outer North, Central North, and Old Delhi).

3. Transport & Safety

“Govt orders probe after off-duty pilot assaults passenger at Delhi airport” (Dec 21, 2025): A high-impact report on a physical altercation at IGIA involving an Air India Express pilot, which led to a formal investigation by the Civil Aviation Ministry.

Signature Style

Devansh is recognized for his “spot check” reporting style. His work often bridges the gap between environmental science (source apportionment data) and public health, making complex pollution metrics accessible to everyday residents. He is also a regular contributor to the Express political pulse, analyzing how urban issues like housing and dust affect voter sentiment.

Contact

X (Twitter): @devanshmittal_ … Read More

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