‘Jinxed’ Delhi CM bungalow, largely vacant for decades, set to be demolished

E-PaperSubscribeSubscribeEnjoy unlimited accessSubscribe Now! Get features like New Delhi: A sprawling colonial-era bungalow at 33, Sham Nath Marg, which has long been regarded as “jinxed” among political and administrative circles, is set to be demolished and replaced with a new office complex, said officials aware of Delhi government’s plans. The bungalow, as seen in 2022. (HT Archive)The two-storey structure, built in the 1920s, has remained largely unoccupied for more than two decades, according to officials. The Public Works Department (PWD) repeatedly failed to secure a permanent occupant despite multiple attempts, with Delhi’s political class branding the property as “jinxed”. Officials said the redevelopment plan aims to put the prime land parcel to functional use by constructing a modern office building. “Once the structure is demolished, a completely new layout will be planned. We may also consult a Vastu expert, and some floors may be added. An office complex is proposed at the site, and after construction, it will be included in the PWD’s pool for allotment to government offices,” a senior official, who asked not to be identified, said. The building’s long-standing reputation contributed to its underutilisation, according to the officials HT spoke to. “Over the years, the bungalow gained notoriety, and many ministers, legislators and senior officers were reluctant to occupy it. Even when allotted, it often remained vacant or was used only for limited official purposes,” another official said. Originally intended as the official residence of Delhi’s chief minister, the four-bedroom house features a spacious front lawn with fountains, a large living and drawing area, an outhouse, and seven staff quarters. But for more than two decades, no politician wants to live there. Delhi’s first chief minister, Chaudhary Brahm Prakash, moved into the residence in 1952 but demitted office in 1955 before completing his tenure. After the revival of the Delhi legislative assembly in 1993, the property was allotted to then chief minister Madan Lal Khurana – making him the second CM occupant of the house. But his tenure ended in 1996 following his resignation in connection with the hawala case. By this time, the bungalow’s reputation as “jinxed” was starting to gain traction. Khurana’s successor, Saheb Singh Verma, did not move in with his family and used it only as a camp office during his tenure, which also concluded before its full term. Subsequently, former chief minister Sheila Dikshit chose not to occupy the bungalow during her tenure beginning in 1998, opting instead to stay at her private residence. The sprawling property at Sham Nath Marg was thereafter used intermittently for official events, including meetings and press briefings. The last full-time political occupant of the house was former labour minister Deep Chand Bandhu, who stayed there until his death in 2003 following an illness. Since then, the premises have not had a long-term resident. A few short-term occupants, including senior bureaucrats, stayed briefly, but the building never returned to regular use. PWD explored several alternatives over the years. It was considered for conversion into a state guest house. In 2015, the then Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government repurposed it as the office of the Delhi Dialogue and Development Commission (DDDC), a policy advisory body. But it appeared that the bad luck followed DDDC as well – the body was dissolved on the orders of the lieutenant governor in 2022, and the premises were vacated yet again. At present, parts of the bungalow are being used by staff attached to the LG’s office, officials said, adding that the structure itself has aged significantly and requires substantial upkeep. “With the redevelopment, the government intends to optimise the use of the land and create office infrastructure that can serve current administrative needs,” the official said. To be sure, no specific timeline for demolition and construction has been announced. The redevelopment marks the end of a decades-long chapter for one of Delhi’s fabled properties that was supposed to be the official CM residence. In power corridors, it is also pointed out that after this home was deemed jinxed, the national capital has also not been able to find an “official CM residence”, which is a standard practice in many other states where the same house is handed over from one CM to their successor.