‘Non-cooperation by state’: SC raps Arunachal Pradesh govt, summons top officials in CBI probe involving CM Khandu’s kin

The Supreme Court took a stern note of alleged non-cooperation by the Pema Khandu-led government.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday summoned Arunachal Pradesh chief secretary and principal secretary (home) over what it termed the state government’s “non-cooperation” in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe involving family members of chief minister Pema Khandu.After perusing the CBI’s status report in the case, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta directed both officers to appear before it on August 24 along with their responses to the report and explain the alleged non-cooperation.“We have perused the status report given by the CBI dated July 17. A perusal of the same reflects that there is non-cooperation on the part of the state government in providing the necessary records,” the bench said, according to PTI.The observation came after Additional Solicitor General (ASG) KM Nataraj, appearing for the CBI, informed the Supreme Court that the probe agency had sought more time to complete the enquiry and that Arunachal Pradesh authorities were not cooperating with the investigation.“We will call the chief secretary,” the bench observed, while questioning the CBI on why it had given a “long rope” despite the alleged non-cooperation.“Why do you need anything more for registering an RC (regular case)?” the judges asked ASG Nataraj.“Both the aforesaid officers shall remain present before this court along with their responses to the CBI’s report and also explain why there is non-cooperation and non-compliance with the order of this court,” the bench stated, while posting the matter for hearing on August 24.

On April 6, the Supreme Court had directed the CBI to register a preliminary enquiry within two weeks into allegations of preferential allotment of public works contracts worth Rs 1,270 crore in Arunachal Pradesh to firms allegedly owned by or linked to family members of chief minister Khandu.The top court had directed the state government, along with all concerned departments, authorities and instrumentalities, to extend full cooperation to the CBI in the probe.The order was passed on a plea filed by NGOs Save Mon Region Federation and Voluntary Arunachal Sena seeking a CBI or SIT probe into the matter.