Damages worth Rs 10 lakh found in bungalow vacated by Akhilesh Yadav

A probe by the Public Works Department (PWD) has revealed that the damages at Akhilesh Yadav's government bungalow in Lucknow, which he vacated in June, cost Rs 10 lakh to the state exchequer.

The 266-page report, submitted by the PWD to Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday, extrapolates that most of the disfigurement in the state property was caused to tiles, sanitary and electrical equipment fitted in the house.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, in June, had instructed Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to order a probe against the Samajwadi Party leader for leaving the government property disfigured.

When Yadav became the Chief Minister in 2012, he was allotted a bungalow at Lucknow's Vikramaditya Marg, which he retained after his party lost State Assembly elections in 2017.

But in May this year, the Supreme Court held that former chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh cannot retain government accommodation after demitting office. The ruling forced Akhilesh Yadav to vacate the bungalow.

Soon reports emerged, alleging Yadav of dismantling the palatial house out of jealousy, a charge that the 46-year-old leader denied.
Yadav was very upset after TV reports showed his damaged bungalow. “It was an attempt to tarnish my political image. One should learn from the BJP how to do,” he had reacted.

“The media should also show the entire house instead of just showing the parts, which could have got damaged in shifting. Let the government submit a list to me for the damage done and items missing, I will replace, return or pay for it,” Yadav had said.

Yadav had claimed that he left behind many of his personal items including rare plants and trees behind in the bungalow. “The government should return them to me,” he demanded.

Yadav was also annoyed why the media was showed his bungalow only and why bungalows vacated by other former Chief Ministers were not shown on TV channels.

The top court's order to vacate the governmental accommodation was applicable on other renowned leaders, like Mayawati, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rajnath Singh and Kalyan Singh.

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