Congress raises questions over Pema Khandu continuing as CM despite SC ordered probe
By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: The Congress on Tuesday questioned why Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu continues to remain in office despite the Supreme Court ordering a CBI probe into alleged corruption and conflict of interest involving contracts linked to his family members.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, termed Khandu’s continuation in office a “gross travesty” of the Supreme Court’s order. He said the apex court, on April 6, 2026, had directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to initiate a preliminary inquiry into allegations that firms allegedly owned by or connected to Khandu’s family received public works contracts worth Rs 1,270 crore over a decade between January 2015 and December 2025.
Ramesh pointed out that the order had been passed by a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court and not by a lower court or High Court, yet no action had been taken against the chief minister.
He also alleged that Khandu, who additionally holds the Public Works Department (PWD) portfolio, remains in control of files and documents that could be crucial for the CBI investigation.
Questioning the BJP-led central leadership, Ramesh referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anti-corruption slogan, asking why the Arunachal Pradesh chief minister had not been asked to step down despite the court ordered probe. He further claimed that there were other BJP chief ministers facing similar allegations.
The Supreme Court, while ordering the inquiry earlier this year, observed that the State and its instrumentalities cannot distribute public benefits based on the “whims of any political or administrative functionary”.
The bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath said the matter warranted an independent investigation, particularly as it involved allegations concerning the integrity of public procurement and conflict of interest at the highest level of government.
The apex court had directed the CBI to register the preliminary inquiry within two weeks into allegations of preferential allotment of public works contracts in Arunachal Pradesh to firms allegedly linked to Khandu’s family members.