Rules for forr CM Bungalow: The ongoing government housing dispute over former Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi has now reached the court. On Thursday, the Delhi High Court expressed displeasure over the central government’s stand in this matter and said that the process of allocation of government houses should be uniform and transparent. Let us know in the meantime, what are the rules to allot the bungalow to the former CM?

What does the law say?

There is no provision to give government bungalow to former Chief Ministers in India. In 2016, the Supreme Court in an important decision had clearly stated that there is no constitutional or legal basis for permanent government housing to former Chief Ministers. The court argued that it is a burden on public money and is against the principles of democratic system.

However, different states have made rules at their level. In some states, after leaving the post of Chief Minister, there is an extension to vacate the government bungalow by a certain period (usually 3 to 6 months). After this, it is mandatory to take back that house according to the need of the new Chief Minister or the government.

In terms of Delhi

Delhi is a union territory and the situation here is slightly different. Here the right to allotment is under the Ministry of Urban Development. While the Chief Minister, he can find type VIII bungalow, but after leaving the post, this right is automatically eliminated. Despite this, due to political circumstances and security reasons, the old Chief Minister is allowed to keep the bungalow for some time.

Questions have arisen before

Controversy over allotting bungalows to former Chief Ministers is not new. In states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, this issue has gone to the Supreme Court. Even then, the Supreme Court had bluntly said that after the withdrawal from power, the facility like bungalow creates inequality in democracy.

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Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi Pradesh President and senior leader Saurabh Bhardwaj made a big disclosure after the raid of the ED (Enforcement Directorate). He said in a press conference held at the party headquarters that ED officials tried to pressurize him and manipulate him in the statement.

Saurabh Bhardwaj said that I refused to sign the ED’s desired statement and clearly said that if you want to arrest me, then arrest. The ED, which is asking for papers from me, is with the government and I asked for paper by putting RTI but I was not given.

Saurabh claimed that ED’s Assistant Director Mayank Arora uploaded his statement to Google Drive from his laptop and possibly sent the BJP office or Lieutenant Governor (LG). He said, “The statement was shared in front of me and sent by my Wi-Fi. Its forensic evidence is also present. Later my statement was marked and brought back and said that it would have to be changed.”

He raised the question that the ED officer talked to whom between 8 am and 2 pm. Bhardwaj alleged that during this time instructions came from outside that which parts of his statement should be removed and what should be added.

ED made pressure to change the statement- Bhardwaj

Bhardwaj said that the statement recorded under Section 17 of the PMLA Act can be used against the accused in the court. He alleged that “this is completely wrong. In any law in the world, it does not happen that someone’s own statement should be used as evidence against him.” He further said that when I refused to remove some part from my statement, the ED officer said that he too has to show ‘performance’. Bhardwaj described it as a questioning of the professional honesty of the institutions.

ED’s Assistant Director Mayank Arora @Saurabh_mlagk The statement of PMla Sec 17 sent someone from his laptop, then highlighting a part at his behest, and pressure was made to remove it from the statement.
How can ED officers dictate people’s statement? pic.twitter.com/3l2h2zjege

– komal (@komal_indian) August 27, 2025

Gimmick and brokerage in the country- Saurabh Bhardwaj

Saurabh Bhardwaj said that “gimmick and brokerage are going on in the country. The authorities are forced to work under political pressure. Even putting pressure on the family and asked to change the statement.” He also added that if someone wants to give warning, then write it in the statement that the person refused to accept the warning, but it is completely illegal to cut and change the statement.

Whom did ED officer call?

During the press conference, Bhardwaj demanded that ED officer Mayank Arora should talk to whom from 8 am to 2 pm and who sent the statement, there should be a fair investigation.