NEW DELHI – In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India today directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a preliminary enquiry (PE) into allegations of corruption and nepotism against Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
The probe focuses on the alleged awarding of high-value government contracts to firms owned by the Chief Minister’s immediate family members.
Key Directives from the Top Court
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria issued the following orders:
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Preliminary Enquiry: The CBI must register the PE within two weeks.
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Timeframe: The investigation will cover public works, contracts, and work orders issued between January 2015 and December 2025.
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Status Report: the CBI is required to file a progress report before the Supreme Court within 16 weeks.
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State Cooperation: The Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary must appoint a nodal officer to coordinate with the CBI. The court warned that no official records related to these contracts should be destroyed.
The Allegations: ₹1,270 Crore at Stake
The petitioners—Save Mon Region Federation and Voluntary Arunachal Sena—approached the court in 2024 with claims of systemic partiality.
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The Figures: Approximately ₹1,245 crore was allegedly allotted through tenders, with an additional ₹25 crore issued via direct work orders.
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The Beneficiaries: Firms allegedly linked to the CM’s wife (M/s Brand Eagles), mother, and nephew (Tsering Tashi, MLA, owner of M/s Alliance Trading Co).
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The Claim: Petitioners argue these contracts represent roughly 3% of all government work awarded in the state during the decade, claiming due procedures were bypassed.
The State’s Defense: “Sponsored Litigation”
The Arunachal Pradesh government has strongly opposed the probe, defending its tender processes.
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Legal Stance: The state’s counsel described the petition as “sponsored litigation” rather than a genuine Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
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Previous Compliance: On December 2, 2025, the court had already mandated the state to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing all contracts awarded to the CM’s family firms over the last 10 years.
What Happens Next?
The Supreme Court has granted all parties two weeks to submit final written arguments before it delivers a full verdict. In the interim, the CBI’s entry marks a major escalation, as the court noted a state-level probe might lack the necessary impartiality given the high-profile nature of the accused.
| Entity | Role in Case |
| CBI | Tasked with registering a Preliminary Enquiry within 14 days. |
| Nodal Officer | State official appointed to ensure record safety and CBI cooperation. |
| Chief Secretary | Responsible for coordinating the state’s response. |
| Supreme Court | Will monitor the status report due in 4 months. |
With the CBI now involved, this case could significantly impact the political landscape of Arunachal Pradesh, especially regarding transparency in infrastructure development.
