CBI inquiry into Kejriwal's house-revamp sparks war of words

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has broken all records of amassing illegal assets and spreading corruption, the Delhi BJP has said, escalating a war of words with the ruling AAP following the CBI's decision to launch a preliminary inquiry into the alleged lapses in the spending of Rs 45 crore in the reconstruction of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence in Civil Lines area in north Delhi.

- RAHUL CHHABRA

The AAP slammed the federal probe agency and the Narendra Modi government for victimising Kejriwal as he is seen as a threat to the PM's popularity. Kejriwal sounded combative and targeted Modi for trying to scare him. "I will not bow before them. They have filed more than 33 inquiries against me and yet they have not been able to find any wrongdoing. This inquiry will also fail to find anything against me," said the Chief Minister.

The CBI has sought documents from the Public Works Department over the expenditure of Rs 45 crore on the CM's house, including Rs 11.30 crore on interior expenditure, Rs 6.02 crore on stone and marble flooring, Rs 2.58 crore on electrical fittings and appliances, Rs 1.41 crore on wardrobe and accessories, Rs 1.1 crore on kitchen appliance and Rs 8.11 crore on the CM's camp office. The probe agency has asked the PWD, the Delhi government agency which undertook the reconstruction work, to share with it documents related to details of expenses on the project.