Supreme Court Summons Arunachal Officials Over CBI Probe

The Supreme Court has directed Arunachal Pradesh's Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home) to personally appear before the court on August 24. This comes after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleged that the state government was not cooperating with its probe into allegations of favouritism in the allotment of public works contracts involving Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

The court's decision was made after examining a status report filed by the CBI, which highlighted difficulties in obtaining records from the state government. The CBI had complained that it was facing non-cooperation from the state government in securing records, prompting the court to issue a notice to the two senior officials.

The case stems from a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the NGO Save Mon Region Federation, which sought a CBI or Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations that public works contracts in Arunachal Pradesh were awarded to firms linked to Khandu's family members and close associates. The petitioner alleged that Arunachal Pradesh was being run like a private company by the Chief Minister.

According to the petitioners, development projects worth approximately ₹1,245 crore were allotted through tenders, while another ₹25 crore was issued through work orders. The petition specifically named two companies, M/s Brand Eagles and M/s Alliance Trading Co, which are stated to be owned by Khandu's wife and nephew, respectively. The petitioners alleged that contracts were awarded despite conflicts of interest and in violation of anti-corruption norms.

The Supreme Court had ordered a CBI enquiry into the matter in April, directing the state government to fully cooperate with the central agency. However, the CBI has now alleged that the state government is not cooperating with its probe, prompting the court to seek responses from the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home).

The two officials have been directed to explain the alleged failure to cooperate with the CBI and comply with the Supreme Court's directions. The court's decision is significant, as it puts the state government's handling of the investigation under scrutiny.

The development is a major setback for the Arunachal Pradesh government, which has been accused of non-cooperation and non-compliance with the Supreme Court's directions. The court's decision to summon the two senior officials is a clear indication that it will not tolerate any non-cooperation in the investigation.

The case will be heard on August 24, when the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home) are expected to appear before the court with their responses. The outcome of the case will be closely watched, as it has major implications for the Arunachal Pradesh government and the Chief Minister.

In the meantime, the CBI will continue its probe into the allegations of favouritism in the allotment of public works contracts. The agency will be seeking to gather more evidence and records from the state government, which has been accused of non-cooperation.

The Supreme Court's decision is a major development in the case, and it will be interesting to see how the state government responds to the allegations of non-cooperation. The court's directive is clear: the state government must cooperate fully with the CBI probe, and any non-cooperation will be viewed seriously.

The case has major implications for the people of Arunachal Pradesh, who have been affected by the alleged favouritism in the allotment of public works contracts. The Supreme Court's decision is a step towards ensuring that the investigation is conducted fairly and transparently, and that those responsible for any wrongdoing are held accountable.

In conclusion, the Supreme Court's decision to summon the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home) is a significant development in the case. The court's directive is clear, and the state government must cooperate fully with the CBI probe. The outcome of the case will be closely watched, and it has major implications for the Arunachal Pradesh government and the Chief Minister.