In what has come as a real shocker, a 15th Century palace has been demolished in Delhi and a sprawling bungalow has been built at the site for use as the official residence of the Delhi Jal Board chief executive officer. 

Former Jal Board CEO Udit Prakash Rai, whose family is currently staying in the bungalow has been issued a notice by the Vigilance Department of the Delhi government.  Rai, a 2007 batch IAS officer, currently posted in Mizoram,  has been accused of facilitating the demolition, and allotting the bungalow to himself when it was built.

Four other DJPB officials including chief engineer Virender Kumar have also been issued notices for conniving in the illegal building of the bungalow in 2021-22.

The historical monument dates back to the Pathan period when the Sayyid dynasty was in power. It was under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Jal Board.

The Archaeological Survey of India had sought to take over the palace in January 2021 but the Jal Board had refused to hand it over. The Vigilance Department has alleged that Udit Prakash Rai had blocked the handover.

The monument was to be handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India by the Jal Board, but officials found it missing during a joint inspection in January, according to the Vigilance Department’s notice issued on Wednesday.

Political parties, including the BJP and Trinamool Congress, have demanded action over the demolition of the monument. In a letter to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva has demanded a high-level investigation.