In a significant judicial move, the Supreme Court of India has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to initiate a preliminary inquiry into allegations of favoritism in government contracts awarded in Arunachal Pradesh. The scrutiny arises from claims that contracts worth over Rs 1,200 crore were allocated to companies associated with family members of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

The directive came from a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria, following public interest litigations filed by two non-government organizations, the Save Mon Region Federation and the Voluntary Arunachal Senaa. The organizations accused the Chief Minister, his wife Tsering Dolma, and his nephew Tsering Tashi of using their connections to secure lucrative government contracts.

The Supreme Court’s order mandates the CBI to examine contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2025, and to submit a status report within 16 weeks. The petitioners have claimed that favoritism in awarding contracts to companies like Brand Eagles, associated with Dolma, and Alliance Trading Company, owned by Tashi, breaches the Prevention of Corruption Act and violates the code of conduct expected from ministers.

This case highlights the ongoing concerns regarding transparency and integrity in the allocation of government contracts in India, particularly in a state like Arunachal Pradesh, which has been grappling with various governance issues. Public interest litigations have become a vital tool for citizens and organizations to hold government officials accountable, particularly in matters involving public resources and financial management.

The decision by the Supreme Court follows earlier reports indicating that the Arunachal Pradesh government had awarded a total of 146 contracts to firms operated by Dolma, raising eyebrows about the transparency of the bidding process. As the CBI gears up for this inquiry, it underscores a growing demand for accountability in the usage of public funds and the ethical standards of elected officials.