New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun a preliminary enquiry into the alleged irregularities in the construction and renovation of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence, officials said on Wednesday, September 27.The investigation agency conducts a preliminary enquiry to verify allegations, based on which a decision to file – or not – a first information report (FIR) is made.The alleged irregularities were first raised by the office of the Lieutenant Governor (LG), who wrote to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in May asking for an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The L-G Secretariat claimed there were “gross and prima facie financial irregularities” in the reconstruction of the CM’s official residence “in the name of “addition/alteration”.Reacting to the CBI’s preliminary enquiry, the Aam Admi Party (AAP) denied any wrongdoing and accused the BJP of “making a concerted effort” to destroy it. The party claimed that the move was part of the BJP’s efforts to “stop the Arvind Kejriwal-led party from working for the people”, according to reports.“This is the reason why the country’s best health and education ministers Satyendar Jain and Manish Sisodia were put behind bars,” the party said. “Until now, more than 50 cases have been filed against Kejriwal and investigated. Nothing was found then and nothing will be found now. BJP may conduct as many investigations, Kejriwal will always fight for the betterment of the common person.”Kejriwal has been occupying the official residence at 6, Flagstaff Road in the Civil Lines since becoming chief minister in 2015.According to a report prepared by the Delhi chief secretary, while the initial cost of construction was estimated between Rs 15 crore and Rs 20 crore, it was “inflated from time to time” to approximately Rs 53 crore. It also cited violations of the Delhi Master Plan 2021 and environmental norms.