Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has described the Supreme Court’s decision to summon the state’s Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home) over alleged non-cooperation with the CBI as the outcome of a “one-sided hearing”.
Khandu said the state’s standing counsel was not present during the hearing to place the government’s position before the court or explain the steps taken to cooperate with the Central Bureau of Investigation.
According to the Chief Minister, the absence of the state’s representatives meant that the Supreme Court heard only the CBI’s submissions, including allegations that certain government records and documents had not been made available.
He said details of records and data already handed over to the investigating agency could not be presented before the court.
“The standing counsel members from Arunachal Pradesh missed the hearing. Because of their absence, it became a one-sided hearing,” Khandu said, adding that the state was unable to place before the court the cooperation extended to the CBI.
He said the matter would be clarified at the next hearing on August 24, when the state is expected to present its position and relevant records before the court.
The clarification comes after a Supreme Court Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta directed the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home) to appear personally on August 24 and explain alleged non-compliance with directions to cooperate with the CBI.
The court passed the order after considering a CBI status report, according to which the agency was facing difficulties in obtaining certain government records and documents.
The case originates from a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Save Mon Region Federation, seeking an independent probe into alleged irregularities in the awarding of government contracts in Arunachal Pradesh.
The petition has alleged that contracts worth several hundred crore rupees were awarded to firms allegedly linked to members of Khandu’s family and close associates, raising allegations of conflict of interest, irregularities and possible violations of anti-corruption norms.
The Supreme Court had earlier directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry into government contracts and work orders issued between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2025. It had also directed the state government to fully cooperate with the agency, appoint a nodal officer and preserve and provide relevant official records.
The CBI’s latest status report, however, alleged inadequate cooperation from the state government, prompting the court to seek explanations from the senior officials.
Khandu’s latest remarks indicate that the state intends to present evidence of its cooperation with the CBI and clarify its position before the Supreme Court during the August 24 hearing.
