New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home) of Arunachal Pradesh to personally appear before it on August 24, expressing concern over allegations that the state government has not fully cooperated with a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry linked to Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
The direction came after the CBI submitted a status report stating that it had faced difficulties in obtaining official records required for a court-ordered preliminary inquiry into the awarding of public works contracts in the state.
A Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed that the CBI’s report indicated a lack of cooperation from the state administration in providing documents essential for the investigation. The court has now asked the two senior officials to appear in person and explain the reasons behind the alleged non-compliance with its earlier directions.
CBI Probe Ordered into Public Works Contracts
The case stems from an earlier Supreme Court order directing the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry into allegations that government contracts for public works were awarded to companies linked to members of Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s family.
The court had instructed the agency to examine contracts, work orders and public infrastructure projects executed between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2025. It also clarified that investigators would be free to examine transactions outside this period if required during the course of the inquiry.
At the same time, the Supreme Court instructed the Arunachal Pradesh government to extend full cooperation to the CBI, appoint a nodal officer for coordination and ensure that all relevant records were preserved and made available. The court specifically warned that no documents or evidence connected to the inquiry should be destroyed.
CBI Reports Difficulty Accessing Records
In its status report filed before the apex court, the CBI informed the Bench that it had encountered obstacles in collecting records from the state government, prompting the court to seek an explanation directly from the state’s top administrative officials.
The matter has now been listed for further hearing on August 24, when both officers are expected to present their response before the court.
PIL Alleges Conflict of Interest
The proceedings arise from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Save Mon Region Federation and Voluntary Arunachal Senaa, which sought an independent investigation by either the CBI or a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The petition alleges that several public works contracts were awarded to firms owned by or associated with members of Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s family, raising concerns over a possible conflict of interest.
Among those named in the petition are Rinchin Drema, the second wife of former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, and Tsering Tashi, a nephew of the current Chief Minister. The petition claims that Brand Eagles, a company linked to Rinchin Drema, received numerous government contracts despite the alleged conflict.
The petitioners have argued that the repeated award of large-scale public contracts to a limited number of firms connected to the Chief Minister’s relatives warrants an independent investigation. They contend that such contracts could not have been awarded without the knowledge or support of those holding public office.
Dorjee Khandu, who served as Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, died in a helicopter crash in 2011. Following his death, Pema Khandu later assumed leadership of the state.
The Supreme Court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the allegations, and the CBI’s inquiry remains at the preliminary stage. The outcome of the investigation will depend on the evidence collected during the course of the probe.
