How Delhi’s Bungalow No 33 Earned Its ‘Haunted’ and ‘Jinxed’ Reputation

New Delhi, April 2: A colonial-era government residence in Delhi’s Civil Lines, known as Bungalow No. 33 on Shamnath Marg, is set to be demolished after remaining unoccupied for more than two decades. Authorities plan to replace the structure with a modern office complex, potentially for the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), citing the impracticality of leaving prime land unused.

Built in the 1920s during British rule, the two-storey bungalow once served as an official residence for senior political leaders due to its proximity to the Delhi Assembly. Despite its expansive layout, featuring multiple rooms, lawns, fountains, and staff quarters, the property has long been avoided by occupants due to its reputation as “unlucky” and “haunted.” Mock Drill on Hostile Attack in Delhi at 8 PM Today? Here’s the Fact Check of the Viral Notice.

Origins of a ‘Haunted’ Reputation

The bungalow’s reputation developed gradually over decades, driven largely by a pattern of abrupt political and personal setbacks among its residents.

Delhi’s first Chief Minister, Chaudhary Brahm Prakash, moved into the residence in the early 1950s but stepped down in 1955 following controversy. Years later, Madan Lal Khurana occupied the bungalow after assuming office in 1993, only to resign in 1996 amid allegations linked to a hawala case. Deepfake Misuse Case: Delhi Court Grants Bail to Man Accused of Posting AI-Morphed Image of PM Narendra Modi Bowing Before Shah Rukh Khan.

These high-profile exits contributed to early perceptions that the residence was inauspicious.

Reinforcing the Stigma

Subsequent occupants and visitors added to the bungalow’s troubled image. Former labour minister Deep Chand Bandhu, who lived there, died in 2003 after a severe infection. Bureaucrat Shakti Sinha briefly stayed at the property in 2013 before opting for voluntary retirement.

Over time, such incidents reinforced a belief among officials that “whoever comes here does not last long,” a perception that discouraged new occupants. Several prominent leaders, including Sahib Singh Verma and Sheila Dikshit, reportedly chose not to live in the bungalow despite its status and location.

Failed Attempts to Reuse the Property

Efforts to repurpose the bungalow have repeatedly stalled. During the tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party government, the building was used as the office of the Delhi Dialogue and Development Commission. However, the arrangement ended abruptly in 2022 following administrative action ordered by Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena over alleged misuse of office. The premises were later sealed.

In more recent attempts, Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh inspected the property but ultimately declined to move in, reportedly due to the stigma attached to it.

Redevelopment Plans

Officials say the decision to demolish the bungalow stems from both practical and symbolic considerations. The existing residential design would require extensive modifications to function as an office, making reconstruction a more viable option.

Plans are underway to build a multi-storey, modern office complex with updated facilities. Authorities are also considering consulting architectural experts for the redesign. The proposed structure could serve as a dedicated headquarters for the DDMA, addressing the current lack of a centralized facility.

Despite multiple redevelopment attempts over the years, the bungalow remained vacant, its reputation persisting within political and bureaucratic circles.

While there is no evidence supporting claims of paranormal activity, the convergence of political controversies, health incidents, and abrupt career shifts among former occupants contributed to a narrative that proved difficult to dispel. The planned demolition marks the end of a chapter for one of Delhi’s most talked-about government residences.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 02, 2026 09:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).