CBI alleges Arunachal Pradesh government lacks cooperation in contract probe

…both officers to remain personally present on August 24 and explain why the state had failed to cooperate with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) despite specific directions issued by the court in April. “ We have perused CBI’s status report dated July 17. It reflects that there is non-cooperation at the end of the state government, as directed by this court on April 6. As such we deem it appropriate to issue notice to the chief secretary and principal secretary (home), Government of Arunachal Pradesh ,” the bench said in its order. The court directed the two officers to appear with their responses to CBI’s status report “and explain why there is non-cooperation and non-compliance with the order of this court”. The…

…Additional solicitor general KM Nataraj, appearing for CBI, informed the court that the agency had been attempting to carry forward the enquiry but was yet to receive crucial records from the state administration. “ We have been trying. We have sent notices to them but some relevant information are yet to be provided to us ,” submitted Nataraj. Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Prashant Bhushan, assisted by advocate Neha Rathi, contended that the material already collected warranted a regular criminal case. “They should have…

…Mr. Bhushan submitted. Justice Mehta also referred to the discrepancies recorded in the CBI’s status report and questioned why an FIR had not yet been registered despite the material already gathered by the agency. “ In your report, it says all discrepancies. None of the procurement manuals has been followed... Oral work orders, no approval records, nothing. Why do you need anything more? You are just giving a long rope ,” Justice Mehta remarked. Mr. Nataraj clarified that the agency would take appropriate action once all the requisite records had been furnished by the State government. Taking note of the submission and the CBI’s…

…Minister despite having collected sufficient material. Mr. Nataraj informed the Bench that the State government had not been cooperating with the inquiry and was yet to furnish all the documents sought by the agency. “ The government is yet to furnish all the requisite documents... We will initiate steps in the proper manner. Let the State government cooperate ,” he submitted. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners, urged the court to direct the CBI to register a First Information Report (FIR), contending that the agency’s preliminary enquiry had already…