The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a response from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs regarding a plea for a Supreme Court Probe Arunachal Contracts. This plea alleges that public contracts in Arunachal Pradesh were improperly awarded to companies owned by relatives of Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The court’s inquiry highlights potential corruption and the misuse of power within state contracts.
Court Directives to the Union Ministries
A bench led by the Chief Justice directed the Centre, specifically the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Finance, to file a detailed affidavit addressing the concerns raised in the plea. The court also instructed the Arunachal Pradesh government to submit a comprehensive report outlining the entities and individuals who received the contracts mentioned in the petition.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioners, argued that “the state of affairs is shocking” and claimed that many contracts were awarded to a company owned by the Chief Minister’s wife. Bhushan asserted that “the state is being looted,” emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
Response from Arunachal Pradesh Government
However, the counsel for Arunachal Pradesh dismissed the plea as a politically motivated maneuver. He argued, “This writ petition is an absolute abuse of powers,” suggesting that similar pleas have been dismissed by the High Court in the past. He further asserted that the state is operating within legal bounds, referencing a report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) that indicated Arunachal’s operations differ but comply with laws.
Need for Transparency and Accountability
The Supreme Court reiterated the importance of accountability by noting that the CAG report referred to the appropriate authority for addressing its queries as the MHA. The bench remarked that “the CAG report is neither here nor there,” stressing that the concerned ministries must provide a clear statement on record.
The Supreme Court’s order mandates the Centre, through the MHA and Finance Ministry, to file a detailed affidavit addressing the issues raised. Additionally, the Arunachal Pradesh government must provide an affidavit detailing the awarded contracts, including specifics about the recipients and their affiliations.
Next Steps in the Supreme Court Probe Arunachal Contracts
The court has granted five weeks for the submission of these affidavits, with an additional three weeks for the petitioners to respond. The matter is slated for further hearing in the week commencing July 21, 2025. For more updates on related topics, visit The Hans Bharat.
