In a relief to former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki, the Supreme Court on Monday set aside the Guwahati High Court order for CBI probe against Tuki in an alleged corruption case.
While dismissing the order, the apex court had also observed that the ex-chief minister was not granted and adequate hearing and directed the Guhawati High Court to hear a fresh PIL on which CBI probe was ordered.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Jagdish Singh Khehar and Justice NV Ramanna delivered the order. The court, however, made it clear that FIRs, registered by CBI so far, will remain.
The former chief minister faces many corruption charges, which came to light in August 2015, after Nabam Tagam moved the high court alleging nepotism by Tuki in allocating Public Works Department contracts to his wife Nabam Yani, sister-in-law, brother and other relatives. It is to be noted that Tuki was the PWD minister before taking over as the chief minister.
Also Read: Centre to build biotech labs in schools of Arunachal Pradesh
The Guwahati High Court then ordered a CBI probe into the allegations. However, the apex court later stayed the order after Tuki had challenged it.
Nabam Tuki was the chief minister of the frontier state between 2011 and January 2016, when his government was controversial dismissed and president’s rule was imposed. However, after the Supreme Court’s intervention, his government was restored in July 2016, but resigned just three into his second term.