Deep Chand Bandhu

Deep Chand Bandhu (1931 – 17 September 2003) was an Indian politician affiliated with the Indian National Congress. He was a member of Delhi Legislative Assembly from 1993 to 2003 representing the Wazirpur Constituency and served as a minister in the Delhi government for several portfolios including Industry, Environment, Forest & Wild Life, Labour, Employment and Election from 2001 to 2003. He also served as the President of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee from 1994 to 1996.

Early life and education Bandhu was born in 1931 in Kondal village of the present-day Palwal district of Haryana. He belonged to Jat community. Many of his ancestors were freedom fighters, including Raja Nahar Singh who fought against the British in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Bandhu had a post-graduate degree and was fascinated by the culture and history of India. He began his career as a teacher in Delhi after completing a teacher training course in 1949 from D.A.V. College, Jalandhar. Starting from 1952, he served as General Secretary and President of the Delhi Teachers Association until 1971. For five years, he also served as the President of All India Teachers Association. Later, he received a nomination for the position of Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislature Party.

Electoral performance

Death Bandhu died on 17 September 2003, at the age of 72, due to an infection in his intestine, coupled with multi-organ failure. Bandhu had been admitted to Apollo Hospital earlier that day as a result of the infection he had acquired. Immediately upon his admission to the ICU, he was placed on a ventilator to treat his rapidly worsening condition. He was cremated at Nigambodh crematorium the next day with all due state honors. Several senior members of the Congress and the Opposition attended the burial and offered their condolences, as did Sheila Dikshit, the chief minister. Dikshit praised Bandhu for his life-long service to people and the Congress party, and stated that his demise was a loss to both the government and the party.

Bungalow

The bungalow in which Bandhu died has gained notoriety for its alleged association with ill fortune, purportedly impacting the lives of its occupants. It was observed that those who lived there were unable to complete their terms in office. Many politicians and bureaucrats refused to reside in the bungalow, citing issues with its Vastu shastra. In 1952, the first Chief Minister of Delhi, Chaudhary Brahm Prakash, moved into the bungalow, but he was unable to finish his tenure. The same was the case with Madan Lal Khurana, who moved in 1993 and resigned in 1996 due to the Hawala scandal. Choudhary Mange Ram, an executive councillor and previous resident, also left office prematurely. Bandhu, who also lived in the bungalow, was unable to complete his tenure due to illness, leading to the bungalow being referred to as a "jinxed abode." After his death, the bungalow remained unoccupied for nearly a decade, leading the government to turn it into a guest house. The bungalow is located at 33 Shamnath Marg in North Delhi's Civil Lines area, and was once a prestigious address until Bandhu's death.

Legacy The Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital in Ashok Vihar, Delhi was inaugurated by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit as a tribute to Bandhu's hard work and service towards the welfare of the people.