NEW DELHI: For Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, the issue of alleged illegal constructions at her residence here in Nizamuddin (East) has become an Achilles heel. Not only has the high-power committee formed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to look into the matter found gross violations in the building, the civic body is also not satisfied with her reply on the issue and has asked her to submit more documents pertaining to her building plan and ownership documents.

And there has also been another new twist to the issue of the "missing file" containing the completion certificate from the Central Zone Office for B/2 Nizamuddin (East) in which Ms. Dikshit owns a floor.

While earlier the Central Zone had informed the Municipal Commissioner's office that the file pertaining to the property was untraceable as it could have been destroyed in a 1993 office fire, later the file was traced in some "old records", raising many eyebrows in political circles with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party alleging foul play.

In his letter submitted to the MCD Standing Committee, the Deputy Commissioner of City Zone has stated that at B-2 Nizamuddin (East) there is excess coverage on all floors.

The mezzanine floor has been converted into an entire floor, while there are unauthorised constructions on the terrace as well. Interestingly, a part of the basement -- constructed illegally -- is owned by the Chief Minister's MP son Sandeep Dikshit, whereas Ms. Dikshit has been denying that he had bought any part in the building. Similarly, the basement at 5 Jaipur Estate owned by Mr. Sandeep Dikshit has also been constructed by violating building by-laws, the Deputy Commissioner said.

Similarly, the MCD has written a letter to Ms. Dikshit stating that she had only replied to the show-cause notice issued to her sans proper documents.

The civic body has now asked her to submit the existing plan of the portion owned or occupied by her prepared by a registered architect, her ownership documents and any other document in support of her contention.

Accusing the civic body of shielding the Chief Minister, BJP councillor Vijender Gupta -- who had first levelled allegations against Ms. Dikshit -- said despite issuing notice to her, the MCD had failed to carry out demolition at her residence while action against common citizens has continued unabated.

"Notably in its order the High Court has clearly asked the civic body to immediately take action against anyone who is found guilty of carrying out illegal constructions, but still the MCD is busy shielding her," he alleged.

"In her reply, Ms. Dikshit has stated that she had purchased the flat after seeing the completion certificate and no construction was carried out thereafter. However, the civic body has found serious violation of building by-laws clearly revealing that either she carried out unauthorised construction after purchasing the property or the completion certificate was obtained fraudulently," he said, demanding her resignation on moral grounds.

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