New Delhi: A colonial-era bungalow at 33, Shamnath Marg in Civil Lines, once a seat of power, could soon be demolished and redeveloped into office space, as efforts to find an occupant have failed due to its reputation of being “unlucky”.The building is currently structured as a residence and using it as an office would require significant modifications, a senior official said.Built in the 1920s, the four-bedroom bungalow boasts fountains, a large drawing and living area, an outhouse, a sprawling lawn and staff quarters. Despite its prime location and expansive layout, political functionaries in the national capital have avoided the property for the past several years. No minister or senior official has willingly opted for it.Last year, soon after the formation of the Delhi Cabinet, social welfare minister Ravinder Indraj Singh had shown interest in the property and even inspected it. However, he later backed out. A senior official said the “stigma” attached to the residence has led to it not being used.The reluctance to occupy the property is rooted in a long-standing belief that the bungalow brings political misfortune. The residence has housed several prominent figures since Independence, but a pattern of abrupt exits has contributed to its “jinxed” tag.Delhi’s first chief minister Chaudhary Brahm Prakash moved into the bungalow in 1952, only to step down in 1955 amid controversy over an alleged jaggery scam. His resignation was followed by the dissolution of the Delhi Legislative Assembly.Decades later, in 1993, Madan Lal Khurana was allotted the same residence after becoming chief minister under the National Capital Territory framework. His tenure, too, ended prematurely in 1996 following allegations linked to the hawala scandal.His successor Saheb Singh Verma did not reside at the controversial 33, Shamnath Marg house. Instead, he continued living at his existing cabinet minister residence at 9, Shamnath Marg.Other occupants have faced setbacks as well. Former labour minister Deep Chand Bandhu died in 2003 after a severe infection in a hospital while he was the occupant of the house. IAS officer Shakti Sinha stayed briefly in 2013 before opting for voluntary retirement.In recent years, the bungalow ceased to function as a residence altogether. The Aam Aadmi Party govt converted it into the office of the Delhi Dialogue and Development Commission. However, the arrangement ended abruptly in 2022 when lieutenant governor V K Saxena directed chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to remove then vice-chairperson Jasmine Shah over allegations of misuse of office. The office was subsequently sealed.
