‘Insult to SC’: Congress on Arunachal CM having ‘control’ over files amid CBI probe
On April 6, the high court had directed the CBI to register a preliminary inquiry into allegations of preferential allotment of public works contracts in Arunachal Pradesh to firms allegedly owned by or related to family members of Chief Minister Khandu.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that in the Khandu case, the BJP had abandoned all principles and norms and that it was an “insult” to the Supreme Court.
“Even though the Supreme Court had ordered a CBI probe into the chief minister’s decision there, the BJP has decided to openly expose the incident in Arunachal Pradesh,” Ramesh told X.
“The CM also continues to be the disabled minister and hence has control over all the files that are supposed to be part of the CBI investigation. All principles and norms have been abandoned,” the Congress in-charge general secretary said.
He said this was an “insult” to the Supreme Court, the people of Arunachal Pradesh and the Constitution of India.
Last month, the Congress had questioned why Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Khandu was not removed from office despite the Supreme Court ordering the CBI to initiate an investigation into corruption charges against him. Ramesh had said this amounted to a “huge travesty” of the Supreme Court decision.
He had said that on April 6, 2026, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court had directed the CBI to initiate a preliminary investigation into allegations that the Arunachal Pradesh chief minister’s family was given contracts worth Rs 1,270 crore for 10 years from January 2015 to December 2025 due to direct conflict of interest.
Observing that the state and its instruments cannot take advantage of the “whims of any political or administrative officer”, the apex court said this was a proper case where an “independent investigation” was required.
The bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath said that where a case concerns the integrity of public procurement and involves allegations of conflict of interest at the highest level, the investigation must not only be fair but also appear fair.
