Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has welcomed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry directed by the Supreme Court and pledged full cooperation with the agency. In response to the Opposition Congress demanding his resignation following the court order, Khandu expressed confidence that the investigation would enhance transparency in governance and reveal the truth. The Supreme Court’s directive for a preliminary inquiry aims to verify claims made in affidavits related to alleged irregularities in public works contracts between 2015 and 2025.
The CBI, as per the court’s instructions, will scrutinize the award and execution of public works contracts during the specified period, with the option to investigate transactions beyond if necessary. The agency will focus on identifying beneficial ownership, related-party connections, and fund flows, in addition to reviewing procurement processes, tender approvals, and compliance with statutory regulations. The Court has mandated the submission of a status report by the CBI within 16 weeks to determine the need for a full-fledged investigation.
Furthermore, the state government has been directed to appoint a nodal officer to facilitate cooperation with the CBI, emphasizing the importance of full compliance with the inquiry process. The PIL prompting the investigation was filed by NGOs Save Mon Region Federation and Voluntary Arunachal Sena, with the Supreme Court expanding the inquiry’s scope to cover all districts in December 2025. Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress has intensified its criticism, calling for the Chief Minister’s immediate resignation and alleging corruption, nepotism, and misuse of power in public contracts.
