Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has described the Supreme Court’s decision to summon the state’s Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home) over alleged non-cooperation with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as the outcome of a “one-sided hearing”.
Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh was unable to present its position before the court because members of the state’s standing counsel were absent during the hearing.
Speaking to reporters, the chief minister said the absence of the state’s legal representatives prevented the government from explaining the steps it had taken to assist the CBI and from placing details of records and data already shared with the agency before the court.
According to Khandu, the Supreme Court therefore considered the CBI’s submissions regarding difficulties in obtaining certain government records without hearing the state’s response.
“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,” Khandu said.
He added that the state would present its position at the next hearing on August 24 and clarify the extent of its cooperation with the investigating agency.
The remarks came after a Supreme Court Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta directed Arunachal Pradesh’s Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home) to appear personally before the court on August 24.
The direction followed consideration of a status report submitted by the CBI, which reportedly told the court that it was facing difficulties in securing certain government records and documents despite earlier directions requiring the state authorities to cooperate with the investigation.
The case originates from a 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 petition has raised allegations that contracts worth several hundred crore rupees were awarded to firms allegedly connected with members of Khandu’s family and close associates. It has also alleged possible conflicts of interest, procedural irregularities and violations of anti-corruption safeguards.
The Supreme Court had earlier directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary enquiry into government contracts and work orders issued in Arunachal Pradesh between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2025.
The court also instructed the state government to extend full cooperation to the CBI, designate a nodal officer to coordinate with the agency and preserve and provide relevant official records.
The CBI’s latest status report, however, raised concerns over the availability of some documents and the level of cooperation received from the state government.
The Supreme Court subsequently sought an explanation from the state’s two senior officials, directing them to appear personally on August 24.
Khandu’s latest statement indicates that the Arunachal Pradesh government plans to use the next hearing to place its version before the court, including details of records and information it says have already been provided to the CBI.