Pema Khandu says Supreme Court summons over CBI probe followed absence of Arunachal counsel at hearing

Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said the Supreme Court's decision to summon the state's Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home) over alleged non-cooperation with the CBI was as a result of the standing counsel not present in the court.

Khandu said members of the Standing Counsel representing Arunachal Pradesh had missed the hearing.
Khandu said in the absence of the state's representatives meant that the Supreme Court heard only the CBI's submissions.


He added, "The standing counsel members from Arunachal Pradesh missed the hearing. Because of their absence, it became a one-sided hearing, and the state could neither represent its position nor place before the court the cooperation extended to the CBI in terms of providing data and records.”

He said the matter would be clarified at the next hearing scheduled for August 24. The Supreme Court summoned the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home) over allegations that the state government had failed to fully cooperate with the Central Bureau of Investigation in an ongoing probe linked to allegations against the chief minister.

A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued the direction after considering a status report submitted by the CBI. The agency reportedly told the court that it was facing difficulties in obtaining certain government records and documents despite earlier directions to the state authorities.

This case pertains to Public Interest Litigation filed by the Save Mon Region Federation, which has sought an independent investigation into alleged irregularities in the award of government contracts in Arunachal Pradesh.

The petitioner had alleged that contracts worth several hundred crore rupees were awarded to firms allegedly linked to members of Khandu's family and close associates. It has raised allegations of conflict of interest, irregularities and possible violations of anti-corruption norms in the award of public works contracts.

The Supreme Court had in April ordered a preliminary CBI inquiry into charges that public work contracts worth approximately Rs 1,270 crore were awarded between 2015 and 2025 to firms allegedly linked to members of Khandu’s family.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated in X on August 3, “This was only to be expected. On April 6, 2026, the Supreme Court had on its own volition ordered a CBI investigation into PWD contracts awarded by the PWD Minister to his family members. The PWD Minister in Arunachal Pradesh is none other than the CM himself. He continues in office demonstrating the PM’s bogus commitment to accountability and integrity in public life”.