Politics

Jagan Mohan Reddy’s Rs.500 crore ‘Sheesh Mahal’ sparks political and environmental controversy

As political and legal battles unfold, the fate of ‘Sheesh Mahal’ remains uncertain, with public outrage growing over the alleged misuse of taxpayer money

PGurus Newsdesk

March 12, 2025

As political and legal battles unfold, the fate of ‘Sheesh Mahal’ remains uncertain, with public outrage growing over the alleged misuse of taxpayer money

Jagan’s lavish ‘Sheesh Mahal’ estate under scrutiny for alleged misuse of public funds and environmental violations

A grand architectural marvel in Andhra Pradesh, once speculated to be the office-cum-residence of former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, is now at the center of political and environmental controversy. The Rs.500 crore estate, dubbed ‘Sheesh Mahal’, remains off-limits to the public, facing accusations of environmental violations and extravagant spending at a time when Andhra Pradesh struggles with financial debt.

Inside the Rs.500 cr mansion

Exclusive visuals accessed by India Today reveal the opulence of the estate, which spans 9.8 acres in the picturesque Rushikonda area, a prime coastal tourist hub. The property includes:

Gold embellishments and Italian marble flooring
Luxury furnishings imported from abroad
Four sprawling blocks covering 10 acres
Private helipad and high-end infrastructure
Paved roads, bulk water supply, drainage systems
100 KV power substation

Despite its grandeur, the estate has fallen into decay, with critics questioning the extravagant expenditure amid Andhra Pradesh’s financial struggles.

Environmental violations and legal questions

The construction of ‘Sheesh Mahal’ has been marred by allegations of gross violations of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.

Nearly half of the Rushikonda hill was excavated, raising serious environmental concerns.
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) had granted clearance in May 2021 for a tourism development project, not for a private residence.
Opposition parties claim the YSRCP government secretly built the estate for Jagan Mohan Reddy’s personal use, violating legal guidelines.

TDP government weighs repurposing options

With Jagan Mohan Reddy out of power, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led NDA government is now faced with deciding the fate of the controversial estate.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s administration has accused Jagan Mohan Reddy of misusing public funds, with some estimates suggesting the total expenditure could have exceeded Rs.600 crore.
Former YSRCP Minister Gudivada Amarnath has defended the project, claiming it was legally sanctioned.
EAS Sarma, a former Secretary to the Government of India, has called for demolition of the illegal structures, urging the government to restore Rushikonda’s ecological balance.

As political and legal battles unfold, the fate of ‘Sheesh Mahal’ remains uncertain, with public outrage growing over the alleged misuse of taxpayer money.

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