NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary inquiry into allegations surrounding the improper allotment of public contracts by the Arunachal Pradesh Government to firms owned by relatives of Chief Minister Pema Khandu. This significant legal development follows a petition filed by organizations, including the Save Mon Region Federation and Voluntary Arunachal Senaa, raising concerns over potential corruption.

The Court ordered the CBI to submit a report within 16 weeks to determine if a more exhaustive investigation is justified. This examination will focus on contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2025, although the CBI is permitted to scrutinize contracts beyond this specified period. A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria emphasized the importance of transparency, instructing the state government to provide all necessary records to the CBI within four weeks and ensure preservation of relevant documents.

The petitioners allege that contracts valued at approximately Rs 1,270 crores were awarded to companies connected to Khandu and his family members, raising significant ethical and legal concerns. Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioners, claimed that contracts were disproportionately funneled to close associates of Khandu, including M/s Brand Eagles, a company owned by his spouse, and M/s Alliance Trading Co., owned by his nephew, MLA Tsering Tashi.

Legal scrutiny of Khandu's actions is not new; a previous report from the Comptroller and Auditor General investigated similar allegations involving Khandu's father, Dorjee Khandu, related to public works contracts awarded to family enterprises. The Supreme Court's latest action indicates a vigilant commitment to uphold integrity in governmental contracts amidst increasing public demand for accountability from elected officials.

This inquiry is not merely a judicial formality; it resonates deeply with citizens who advocate for transparency and ethics in governance, especially as concerns about corruption continue to permeate the political landscape in India.