The Supreme Court on Monday, April 6, 2026, directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to open a preliminary enquiry within two weeks into the award of public-works contracts in Arunachal Pradesh to firms allegedly linked to relatives of Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The court said the probe should cover the allocation and execution of government contracts, work orders and public works in the state between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2025. The preliminary enquiry must be registered by April 20, 2026, the bench added, and the CBI was ordered to file a status report within 16 weeks, by July 27, 2026.
A bench led by Justice Vikram Nath emphasised that any enquiry or subsequent investigation must proceed strictly in accordance with law. The full, detailed judgment has not yet been released. The court’s order follows arguments heard earlier in the matter and a reservation of verdict on February 17, 2026.
Petitioners — represented by senior advocate Prashant Bhushan and comprising the Save Mon Region Federation and Voluntary Arunachal Sena — have pointed to an affidavit filed by the Arunachal Pradesh government and alleged that around ₹1,270 crore worth of contracts and work orders were awarded over the past decade to four firms said to be associated with members of the chief minister’s family. The petition asserts that several government contracts were granted to companies owned by the chief minister’s relatives.
Counsel appearing for the state government countered that the petition amounted to “sponsored litigation” and lacked merit. Earlier, on December 2, 2025, the Supreme Court had directed the Arunachal Pradesh government to submit a comprehensive affidavit listing all contracts awarded between 2015 and 2025, including those involving firms linked to the chief minister’s family.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu has been made a respondent in the public interest litigation. Other parties named include Rinchin Drema, the second wife of former chief minister Dorjee Khandu, and Tsering Tashi, his nephew. The petition also specifically alleges that Drema’s firm, Brand Eagles, received a significant number of government contracts despite an alleged conflict of interest.
Original Source: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/northeast/supreme-court-orders-cbi-probe-into-arunachal-contracts-linked-to-cm-pema-khandus-family
Category: Northeast
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Publish Date: 2026-04-06 13:56:00
