New Delhi/Itanagar, April 6 – Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu welcomed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation, as directed by the Supreme Court, and assured full cooperation with the central agency.
In response to this development, the opposition Congress demanded the immediate resignation of the Chief Minister following the Supreme Court order on the CBI probe.
Reacting to the development, Khandu stated that the investigation would "clear the air" and reaffirm transparency in governance. "We have nothing to hide. The truth will come out," he stated in a statement.
The Supreme Court ordered a preliminary investigation while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), directing the CBI to verify claims made in affidavits submitted before it. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N. V. Anjaria instructed the agency to register the investigation within two weeks and proceed in accordance with the law.
The investigation will examine alleged irregularities in the awarding and execution of public works contracts between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2025.
The Court clarified that the CBI may also investigate transactions outside this period if necessary to trace beneficial ownership, related-party links, and fund flows.
Additionally, the Court directed scrutiny of procurement processes, tender approvals, instances of open tenders being bypassed, and compliance with statutory requirements. Records related to payments, work orders, and project execution will also be examined.
The CBI has been asked to submit a status report within 16 weeks, indicating whether a full-fledged investigation is warranted.
The state government has been directed to cooperate fully, with the Chief Secretary required to appoint a nodal officer within a week to coordinate with the agency.
The PIL was filed by NGOs Save Mon Region Federation and Voluntary Arunachal Sena. Earlier, in March last year, the apex court had asked the state government to submit detailed affidavits on awarded contracts and sought a report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
In December 2025, the Court expanded the scope of the inquiry to cover all districts, noting that the issue was not limited to Tawang.
Meanwhile, the opposition Congress escalated its attack, demanding the Chief Minister’s immediate resignation. State Congress President Bosiram Siram termed the Supreme Court’s directive a “serious indictment” of the state government.
He alleged widespread corruption, nepotism, and misuse of power, claiming that contracts worth over Rs 1,270 crore were involved.
"This reflects a gross betrayal of public trust and a blatant violation of transparency and accountability," Siram said.
Calling for moral responsibility, the Congress leader urged Khandu to step down pending the outcome of the inquiry and demanded a free, fair, and time-bound investigation, preferably under judicial monitoring to prevent undue influence.