New Delhi [India], April 6 (HBTV): The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary inquiry into allegations that various public works contracts in Arunachal Pradesh were awarded to firms linked to Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s family members.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria directed the CBI to examine contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2025.
The bench, in its judgment, stated, ‘The CBI shall initiate a preliminary inquiry within two weeks. Preliminary inquiry and consequential investigation, if any, shall cover execution of public works, contracts, and work orders within the period January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2025.’
The court further said that the CBI would not be precluded from examining transactions outside the specified period. It directed the Arunachal Pradesh government to cooperate fully and make available all relevant records within four weeks.
‘State of Arunachal Pradesh shall cooperate fully with the CBI. The Chief Secretary of the state shall designate a nodal officer for coordination with the CBI. State shall ensure no record is destroyed,’ the order stated.
The apex court made it clear that no evidence should be destroyed and asked the CBI to submit a status report within 16 weeks.
The order came on a petition filed by organisations Save Mon Region Federation and Voluntary Arunachal Senaa, seeking a CBI or SIT probe into the award of public works contracts to firms owned by family members of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
Pema Khandu’s father, former Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, died in a helicopter crash in 2011. His second wife, Rinchin Drema, and nephew, Tsering Tashi, were also made parties in the case.
According to the petition, Rinchin Drema’s firm, Brand Eagles, has been awarded a significant number of government contracts despite an alleged conflict of interest.
The petition stated that when government contracts are awarded primarily to firms owned by family members of the Chief Minister and close associates, it raises a reasonable inference that such allocation of large-scale public works may involve the knowledge, consent, and support of the concerned minister.
‘The Minister of this department was Dorjee Khandu, also former CM, till 2011, and then the charge was taken up by his son Pema Khandu, now present Chief Minister. It is a serious cause of concern in view of so many work orders executed by a few selective firms belonging to the Minister himself and his family members,’ the petition stated. (ANI)