The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a probe into allegations that public works contracts in Arunachal Pradesh were awarded to firms linked to family members and close associates of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
File image of the Supreme Court of India (IANS photo)
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a probe into allegations that public works contracts in Arunachal Pradesh were awarded to firms linked to family members and close associates of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria ordered the CBI to initiate a preliminary enquiry within two weeks, covering the period from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2025. The Court clarified that the agency would not be restricted to this timeframe and may examine transactions beyond it if required.
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The Bench further directed the CBI to submit a status report on its investigation before the Court within 16 weeks.
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“The CBI shall initiate a preliminary enquiry within two weeks,” the Court said, adding that the state government shall extend full cooperation. It also directed that no records relevant to the probe be destroyed and asked the Chief Secretary to appoint a nodal officer for coordination with the agency.
The order came on a Public Interest Litigation filed by the NGO Save Mon Region Federation, which alleged large-scale favouritism in the award of government contracts to firms linked to family members and close associates of the Chief Minister.
According to the plea, contracts were awarded to companies owned by the Chief Minister’s family members and close associates with his “direct knowledge, consent and active support”. The petitioner alleged that this indicated misuse of official position and a conflict of interest in the allotment of public works.
The Court had earlier, in March 2025, sought responses from the Union Ministries of Finance and Home Affairs on the allegations.
The petition also referred to specific firms allegedly linked to the Chief Minister’s family and associates, asserting that a large number of government contracts were awarded to them in violation of established norms and statutory provisions.
The matter will be taken up after the CBI files its status report.
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