The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has raised concerns regarding the legality of a 200-bed paying guest (PG) facility situated in the Satya Niketan-Moti Bagh area, linking its alleged ownership to the family of BJP MLA Anil Sharma. On September 7, AAP councillors, spearheaded by Delhi Unit President Saurabh Bharadwaj, gathered outside the Municipal Corporation of Delhi South Zone office to voice their concerns and demand transparency.

Bharadwaj claimed that AAP had acquired the building plans for the PG accommodation, which was reportedly constructed in 2022. He stated during their protest, “After some initial reluctance, the MCD provided us with the plans of this PG.” This raised questions about the legality of its construction, leading AAP to call for an investigation.

According to Bharadwaj, the PG structure occupies between 400 to 500 square yards, whereas the sanctioned building plan only allocates 230 square yards. Furthermore, he indicated that construction was permitted on only 75 per cent of that space, which should leave a quarter of the area vacant.

Concerns About MCD’s Inaction and Building Regulations

Bharadwaj emphasised the inconsistency between the land registry submitted to the Municipal Corporation and the actual size of the PG. He stated, “The land registry submitted for the building plan is for only 230 square yards. The question arises as to how a building covering 400 to 500 square yards could legally exist on land registered for just 230 square yards.” This discrepancy led AAP to categorise the construction as illegal.

AAP has alleged that despite multiple complaints regarding the construction, no actions were taken by the MCD, which at that time was under the purview of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor. Bharadwaj suggested that interventions by BJP leaders prevented any enforcement actions against the ongoing construction.

He further challenged the MCD to take action against this PG facility, suggesting that the authority should prioritise demolishing the structure. Bharadwaj stated, “If Rekha Gupta wants to take action against PGs in Satya Niketan, she should first send a bulldozer to this PG and demolish it.”

Call for Transparency from Anil Sharma

Saurabh Bharadwaj directed his comments towards BJP MLA Anil Sharma, urging him to disclose the land registry for public scrutiny. He stated, “Instead of displaying his registry in thin air, Anil Sharma should make it public so that it can be verified.” This statement was made in light of allegations concerning the ownership of land by Sharma and his family.

Bharadwaj pointed out that the public should scrutinise how much land is registered in Sharma’s name and that of his father, as well as the actual measurements of their residences and the PG accommodation. He mentioned the importance of verifying these details, particularly if there were irregularities.

He concluded by emphasising that as a public official, Sharma must be prepared to address any findings of discrepancy. Given his past service as a councillor and his current position as an MLA, Bharadwaj warned that any inconsistencies could lead to investigations concerning possessing assets disproportionate to declared income.

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