New Delhi

The Congress on Wednesday criticised the BJP over the role of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu in the wake of a Supreme Court-directed CBI inquiry, alleging that his continued control over key government files undermines the spirit of the investigation.

The Supreme Court had, on April 6, ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation to conduct a preliminary inquiry into allegations that public contracts were awarded to firms allegedly linked to members of Khandu's family.

Reacting to the development, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh claimed that the BJP was choosing to ignore established norms and principles by allowing Khandu to retain oversight of departments connected to the matter under investigation.

In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh alleged that the chief minister continues to hold charge of the Public Works Department, giving him access to documents and records that are expected to be examined as part of the CBI inquiry.

"The BJP has decided to brazen out the situation in Arunachal Pradesh despite the Supreme Court's directive for an independent investigation," Ramesh said. He argued that permitting Khandu to remain in charge of relevant files raises concerns about the integrity and perception of the probe.

The Congress leader further described the situation as a disregard for constitutional principles and judicial propriety, alleging that it reflects poorly on governance standards in the state.

The opposition party had raised similar concerns last month, questioning why Khandu had not stepped aside after the apex court ordered the CBI inquiry. At the time, the Congress termed the decision to retain him in office a contradiction of the court's intent.

According to the allegations cited before the court, contracts worth approximately Rs 1,270 crore were awarded over a decade, from January 2015 to December 2025, to entities allegedly connected to the chief minister's family, leading to accusations of conflict of interest.

While directing the inquiry, the Supreme Court had observed that government benefits and contracts cannot be distributed based on the preferences of political or administrative authorities. The court emphasised that allegations involving public procurement and potential conflicts of interest at senior levels of government warranted an independent and credible investigation.

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The bench, led by Justice Vikram Nath, noted that in such cases, the investigative process must not only be fair but must also inspire public confidence by appearing fair and impartial.