The Supreme Court on Tuesday reviewed a petition alleging that public contracts in Arunachal Pradesh were routinely awarded to firms belonging to the family members of Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, noted that these claims involve high functionaries and a significant number of work orders and tenders given to companies owned by the Chief Minister’s relatives. It also pointed out a ‘remarkable coincidence’ that the work tenders have been given to the family members of the CM in large numbers.

The court deferred the matter to February and instructed the state government to file an affidavit listing all contracts awarded to Khandu, his relatives, or their firms from 2015 to 2025 across all districts. The Apex Court stated, “the coincidence is remarkable that, in a state, work orders and tenders are given to family members in huge numbers.”

The court observed that the state did not dispute these companies’ ownership by Khandu’s family members and acknowledged the petitioner’s claims about contracts and work orders being awarded to high officials and their relatives, including the Chief Minister. Noting the volume of such contracts, the court said that it would consider whether any enquiry would be needed in the coming time.

The Supreme Court had previously issued notice in March on the plea seeking a probe into the allocation of public contracts to companies linked with the Chief Minister’s relatives. It also directed the state to submit a comprehensive report identifying all entities and individuals named in the petition who received contracts. Additionally, the bench addressed a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), remarking that “the CAG report is neither here nor there” and emphasised the need for a formal statement from the relevant ministries to be placed on record.

– Ends

Published By:

Akash Chatterjee

Published On:

Dec 3, 2025

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