Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has described the Supreme Court’s decision to summon the state’s Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home) over alleged non-cooperation with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as the outcome of a “one-sided hearing”.
Khandu said the state’s standing counsel was not present during the hearing, leaving Arunachal Pradesh unable to present its position or explain the cooperation extended to the CBI in the ongoing investigation.
According to the Chief Minister, the absence of the state’s representatives meant that the Supreme Court heard the CBI’s submissions, including allegations that the agency had not received certain government records and documents.
Khandu said details of records and data already provided to the investigating agency could not be placed before the court during the hearing. He said the state’s position would be presented at the next hearing, scheduled for August 24.
The remarks came after the Supreme Court directed the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home) to appear personally before it over allegations that the state government had not fully complied with directions to cooperate with the CBI.
A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued the direction after considering a status report submitted by the CBI. The agency reportedly told the court that it was facing difficulties in obtaining certain government records and documents despite earlier directions to state authorities.
Taking note of the submissions, the court directed the two senior officials to appear on August 24 and explain the alleged non-compliance.
The case originates from a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Save Mon Region Federation, which has sought an independent investigation into alleged irregularities in the awarding of government contracts in Arunachal Pradesh. The petition has alleged that contracts worth several hundred crore rupees were awarded to firms allegedly linked to members of Khandu’s family and close associates, raising allegations of conflict of interest, irregularities and possible violations of anti-corruption norms.
The Supreme Court had earlier directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry into government contracts and work orders issued between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2025.
The court had also directed the Arunachal Pradesh government to provide full cooperation to the CBI, appoint a nodal officer to coordinate with the agency and preserve and furnish relevant official records.
However, the CBI’s latest status report alleged that it had not received the required level of cooperation from the state government, prompting the Supreme Court to seek explanations from the state’s senior officials.
Khandu’s latest remarks indicate that the state government intends to place its account before the Supreme Court at the August 24 hearing, including details of the records and assistance already provided to the CBI.
