Congress MP from Andhra Pradesh, Gireesh Sanghi, has demolished the quarters allotted to him to construct a two-storied house on Talkatora Road.
NEW DELHI: While much has been made of illegal constructions in Lutyen’s zone in Delhi, laws are still being flouted by MPs, ministers and judges who live in the area. The Congress MP from Andhra Pradesh, Gireesh Sanghi, has demolished the quarters allotted to him to construct a two-storied house on Talkatora Road. The building laws of the area prohibit residents to make any changes without the consent of CPWD and even then, the alterations allowed are restricted to cosmetic changes only.
His bungalow, 7 Talkatora Road, now stands as the only house in the entire stretch with ornate pillars, an extended portico and a second floor, which is in gross violation of the LBZ (Lutyen’s Bungalow Zone) norm that bars people from destroying the essential heritage character of the place.
Sanghi, who is also owner of the Telugu newspaper Varta, could not be contacted as he is currently out of the country. But according to sources, Sanghi rebuilt the house as the previous occupant Abrar Ahmed was killed in an accident and Sanghi wanted to make sure his house was Vastu compliant before moving in.
Former Rajya Sabha house committee chairman Raju Parmar, said, “When it came to this house, nobody was willing to take it as the previous occupant was killed in an accident. After three-four MPs refused to take up the house, we asked Mr Sanghi who agreed. Unfortunately he made those changes without CPWD permissions. A report was made and the MP was even served a notice.”
According to guidelines issued by the urban development ministry for VIPs living in Lutyen’s zone, the front should be maintained and no additional structures constructed. Likewise, increasing the existing height of the building is not allowed. A senior engineer with CPWD confirmed to DNA, “We have taken cognizance of the issue and have already reported it to the Rajya Sabha secretariat. A notice was also sent to Gireesh Sanghi. The details of violation have been passed on to the secretariat. It’s up to the secretariat to take further action.”
Illegal construction in Lutyen’s zone is however, not a new phenomenon. The CPWD had earlier served notices to 71 erring VIPs living in the area, including Samajwadi MP Amar Singh and Railway minister Lalu Yadav, and the matter had come up in the High Court. As per the additional solicitor general, out of 71 occupants of Lutyen’s Bungalow Zone having illegal constructions, 14 have partly demolished the unauthorised parts of their buildings, 20 have filed replies while 37 have not responded.
Rajya Sabha house committee chairman Jai Prakash Aggarwal added, “The issue had come up during the earlier chairman’s tenure. It was between the earlier chairman and the urban development ministry and I am not aware of it now. There are many erring parties. We’ve sent the details to the urban development ministry and they will take further action. Our job is restricted to house allotments and maintenance.”
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