Crisis Over Contracts: Chief Minster's Family Tied to Major Deals in Arunachal

The Supreme Court reserved its decision on a plea for a CBI investigation into government contracts awarded in Arunachal Pradesh. Contracts worth Rs 1,270 crore were reportedly given to firms linked to Chief Minister Pema Khandu's family, prompting allegations of corruption by advocate Prashant Bhushan.

The Supreme Court is deliberating on whether to launch a CBI investigation into alleged favoritism in government contracts awarded in Arunachal Pradesh. Contracts totaling approximately Rs 1,270 crore have reportedly been awarded to companies associated with Chief Minister Pema Khandu's family over the past decade.

The case, backed by the NGOs Save Mon Region Federation and Voluntary Arunachal Sena, was presented by advocate Prashant Bhushan, who argued that the contracts represented about three percent of the total value of state contracts over the period. The bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria will soon deliver a decision.

The allegations suggest a potential conflict of interest, implicating those close to Khandu, including his wife, mother, and brother. While the state's counsel dismissed the plea as 'sponsored litigation,' the apex court instructed the Arunachal Pradesh government to provide detailed information about contracts awarded since 2015.

(With inputs from agencies.)