Supreme Court Orders CBI Inquiry into Arunachal Govt Contracts Linked to CM Pema Khandu’s Family

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to initiate a preliminary inquiry into allegations surrounding the allocation of government contracts in Arunachal Pradesh, including those reportedly linked to relatives of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria issued the direction while hearing a public interest petition filed by the Save Mon Region Federation. The court instructed the agency to examine the awarding and execution of public works contracts over nearly a decade, starting from 2015.

The judges clarified that the scope of the inquiry is not strictly limited to this period and may extend further if required.

The CBI has been tasked with reviewing multiple aspects, including the tendering process, project execution, and financial transactions linked to the contracts. The inquiry will specifically look into claims that certain firms connected to the Chief Minister’s family members may have received preferential treatment.

The agency has been given a deadline of 16 weeks to submit a report indicating whether the matter warrants a full-scale investigation.

The petition alleges that contracts worth approximately ₹1,270 crore were awarded in a questionable manner to companies associated with the Chief Minister’s close relatives. Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners, argued that due procedures were allegedly bypassed and projects were awarded at inflated costs.

Among the entities mentioned in the plea are firms reportedly linked to the Chief Minister’s spouse and nephew, raising concerns over conflict of interest and transparency in public procurement.

The Supreme Court emphasized that its current order is limited to determining whether a deeper probe is necessary and should not be interpreted as a conclusion on the allegations themselves.

With the CBI set to begin its preliminary inquiry, the findings of the status report will play a crucial role in deciding whether a detailed investigation or further legal action is required in the case.