Setback for Arunachal CM Pema Khandu as SC orders CBI probe into public works contracts

What are the allegations?

Khandu has been accused of awarding public works contracts to firms allegedly linked to his family members and close associates.

Petitioners — Save Mon Region Federation and Voluntary Arunachal Sena — approached the Supreme Court in 2024, alleging that key tenders were awarded to firms connected to the Chief Minister’s associates, including a construction company linked to his wife.

The Chief Minister was also accused of violating norms by awarding a contract to his relative Tsering Tashi, who is an MLA from Tawang district.

What did the Supreme Court order?

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the allegations and submit a status report within 16 weeks.

The probe will examine public works, contracts, and work orders awarded between January 2015 and December 2025.

The court also directed the state government to fully cooperate with the probe and asked the Chief Secretary to appoint a nodal officer for coordination with the agency.

The bench granted two weeks’ time to all parties to submit written arguments before it proceeds further in the matter.

State’s response

The Arunachal Pradesh government had earlier termed the petitions as “sponsored litigations”.

In an earlier order dated December 2, 2025, the top court had directed the state to file an affidavit detailing all contracts awarded between 2015 and 2025, including those linked to firms associated with Khandu’s associates.