NEW DELHI – In a significant legal setback for Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the CBI to register a preliminary enquiry into the alleged irregular award of public work contracts to firms owned by his family members.
The probe will scrutinize contracts and work orders executed between January 2015 and December 2025, a period covering over a decade of administrative decisions.
Key Directives from the Apex Court:
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CBI Timeline: The Central Bureau of Investigation must initiate the preliminary enquiry within two weeks and submit a status report to the court within 16 weeks.
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State Cooperation: The court ordered the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary to appoint a nodal officer to coordinate with the CBI and strictly warned that no records should be destroyed.
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Scope of Allegations: Petitioners Save Mon Region Federation and Voluntary Arunachal Sena allege that tenders worth approximately ₹1,245 crore were awarded to firms linked to the CM’s wife, mother, and nephew without following due procedure.
Specific Entities Under Scrutiny:
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M/s Brand Eagles: Allegedly linked to the Chief Minister’s wife.
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M/s Alliance Trading Co: Owned by the CM’s nephew, Tsering Tashi (MLA from Tawang), which allegedly received contracts bypassing standard protocols.
The State’s Defense
The Arunachal Pradesh government has dismissed the allegations, labeling the case “sponsored litigation.” Counsel for the state previously argued that the legal challenge was politically motivated rather than a matter of public interest.
The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria, has given all parties two weeks to submit final written arguments before a formal verdict is delivered.
