Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Dec 16: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the Interim Application in Writ Petition (Criminal)-165/2021 filed by one Nabam Tagam of Arunachal Justice Forum (AJF), praying the apex court to direct Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct preliminary inquiry into the corruption charges on Chief Minister Pema Khandu as labeled by Nabam Tagam.
Tagam alleged that Chief Minister Pema Khandu has acquired huge assets by corrupt means which needs to be investigated by CBI.
The three-judge bench comprised of Chief Justice of India Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana, Justice AS Bopana and Justice Hima Kohli observed that ‘there is no need to pass any interim order in the said application at this stage while disposing it of.’
“Having heard learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioners, learned senior counsel appearing for the State of Arunachal Pradesh and carefully perusing the material available on record, we find that the main relief and the interim relief prayed for are one and the same and as such, there is no need to pass any interim order in the said application at this stage. In view of the above, the said application stands disposed of,” the three-judge bench observed while dismissing the Interim Application No. 59851/2021.
Nabam Tagam had filed Interim Application praying that the Supreme Court may direct the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the allegation of corruptions as labeled in his Writ Petition (Criminal)-165/2021 while the said WP (Cr) 165/2021 is pending in the apex court.
“The Supreme Court has not entertained the interim application filed by AJF Nabam Tagam praying the apex court for interim order to issue directing CBI to conduct preliminary enquiry on corruption charges against Chief Minister Pema Khandu,” said Additional Advocate General, Anil Shrivastav who was representing the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
The allegations labeled by the petitioner Nabam Tagam in the said WP(Cr) -165/2021 against Chief Minister are that CM Khandu had earned a huge amount and properties by corrupt means which he showed in his election affidavit. It further alleged that CM Khandu has huge undisclosed properties and made several illegal appointments in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Allegations also include that the government headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu within a short span of 7 years entered into 133 Nos of secret Memorandum of Agreements (MoAs).
It is learnt that Tagam did not substantiate documentary evidences on the allegations labeled against CM Khandu.
The apex court ruling came amidst the conglomeration of organizations accusing CM Khandu government of indulging in multi-crore corruption and demanding his resignation.
On 19 April, 2021, the writ petition was listed before the Supreme Court for admittance hearing. The apex court rejected the petition asking it to be filed in the High Court of respective jurisdiction. The petitioner then prayed before the Court that an SLP on similar allegations bearing No. SLP(C) No. 31233/2010 (Rahul Agarwal Vs State of AP) is pending in the Supreme Court.
The apex court however allowed the petition to be tagged with SLP(c) 31233/2010 without any order for issuing notices to anybody meaning WP(Cr) 165/2021 filed by AJF was not technically admitted yet.
