New Delhi/Itanagar: The Congress on September 18 lashed out at the Union government over Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu continuing in office while a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe is under way into contracts alleged to have been awarded to his family during his tenure as Public Works Department minister.
Opposition questions Centre's response
Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh in a post on X (formerly Twitter) said the Chief Minister ought to have resigned or been asked to step aside after the Supreme Court directed a CBI inquiry. Ramesh alleged the apex court on 6 April ordered a probe into contracts worth ₹1,270 crore, reportedly awarded between 2015 and 2025.
Ramesh accused the BJP‑led central government of allowing Khandu to remain in office despite what he described as serious judicial directions and questioned why the Centre had not acted. He also claimed the Supreme Court, on a later hearing, had expressed concern about the state government's cooperation with investigators.
“It is extraordinary and totally unacceptable that the CM continues in office. This shows the complete hypocrisy of the PM,”
Ramesh said the matter is listed for further hearing before the Supreme Court on 25 September. He also referred to a session on 24 August in which, he said, the bench noted that the state government had supplied large volumes of documents instead of the specific files sought by the CBI.
Allegations, judicial direction and pending hearings
The allegations highlighted by the Congress relate to an ongoing legal process and a CBI investigation. The claims that contracts were awarded to family members and that relevant documents have not been made promptly available are part of court records and submissions before the Supreme Court, according to the party's statements. These matters remain sub judice and have not been adjudicated by a final judicial order.
The unfolding sequence of dates and events, as cited by the Congress, is summarised below:
- 6 April: Supreme Court — direction for a CBI inquiry into alleged contracts worth ₹1,270 crore.
- 3 August: Supreme Court reportedly summoned senior state officials after the CBI raised concerns about cooperation.
- 24 August: Hearing where the bench noted the nature of documents provided by the state government, as alleged by the Congress.
- 25 September: Next scheduled date for the Supreme Court to take up the matter, according to the Congress statement.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 6 April | SC directed CBI inquiry into alleged ₹1,270 crore contracts |
| 3 August | SC summoned senior Arunachal officials after CBI complaint |
| 24 August | SC observed issues with documents provided by state government (as per opposition claims) |
| 25 September | Next listing in the Supreme Court |
Centre and state responses
As of the Congress statement on September 18, neither the Centre nor the Arunachal Pradesh government had issued an immediate public rebuttal to the allegations cited by Jairam Ramesh. The party's charges include an assertion that Khandu continued to hold the PWD portfolio and was withholding or delaying access to files sought by investigators.
Legal experts note that a court‑directed investigation does not itself amount to an adjudication of guilt and that procedural protections apply to those subject to inquiry. Any administrative or political action in response to a probe typically depends on the findings of the agency conducting the investigation and, in some cases, on directives from competent judicial fora.
Political stakes and implications
The Congress attack frames the issue as a test of the Centre's commitment to its stated anti‑corruption stance and to principles such as public accountability. For the state government, the controversy raises questions about co‑operation with central investigators and the political management of an ongoing probe while governance continues.
The case is likely to draw attention on September 25 when the Supreme Court next examines the matter. Until the court or investigative agency reaches definitive findings, the allegations remain part of an active legal process.
Reporting from Itanagar and New Delhi contributed to this dispatch.
