Itanagar, April 20: Members of the Arunachal Civil Society (ACS) on Sunday organized a protest rally in Itanagar, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Pema Khandu to ensure what they described as a fair and impartial investigation into alleged irregularities in the award of government contracts linked to firms associated with his family members.
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| Members of Arunachal Civil Society march in Itanagar demanding Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s resignation amid a Supreme Court-ordered CBI probe into alleged contract irregularities |
he rally commenced from Akashdeep and concluded at Tennis Court, drawing participation from civil society members, activists, and concerned citizens. Protesters carried placards and raised slogans calling for transparency, accountability, and integrity in public administration. They urged the state government to uphold democratic principles and allow investigative agencies to function independently.
The protest follows a recent order of the Supreme Court of India issued on April 6, directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary inquiry into public works contracts reportedly worth over ₹1,270 crore awarded between 2015 and 2025. The inquiry was ordered after allegations surfaced regarding contracts allegedly awarded to firms linked to relatives of the Chief Minister.
According to the allegations, the contracts were awarded to companies including Brand Eagles, reportedly associated with Khandu’s wife, and Alliance Trading Co., allegedly linked to his nephew. Activists and petitioners have claimed that certain contracts may have bypassed standard tendering procedures, raising concerns about possible conflict of interest and procedural irregularities.
During the rally, speakers argued that the Chief Minister should temporarily step aside while the preliminary inquiry is underway to ensure public confidence in the investigative process. They also called for unrestricted access to records and full cooperation from all government departments concerned.
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Despite the strong demands, the protest remained peaceful throughout, with organizers emphasizing that their objective was to seek transparency and accountability through democratic means.
Meanwhile, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh has acknowledged the concerns raised by the civil society group and stated that it will extend full cooperation to the ongoing CBI inquiry. Officials have reiterated that the government respects the judicial process and will assist investigators as required.
The Supreme Court has directed authorities to preserve all relevant documents and evidence related to the contracts and submit a status report within 16 weeks. The outcome of the preliminary inquiry is expected to determine the next course of action in the matter.
