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Case title: Voluntary Arunachal Senaa Petitioners V. The State Of Arunachal Pradesh & Ors

Case no.: Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (C) No(s). 34696/2010

Order on: 20^th March 2024

Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Aniruddha Bose & Hon’ble Ms. Justice Bela M. Trivedi

Facts of the case

In a significant ruling by the Supreme Court of India, the case of Voluntary Arunachal Senaa v. The State of Arunachal Pradesh & Ors. sheds light on the accountability and transparency in governmental contracts. The case, arising from a public interest litigation (PIL), delves into allegations of favoritism in awarding contracts to close relatives of the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. This blog explores the intricate details of the case, legal arguments, and the court’s insightful analysis leading to its judgment.

The petitioner, Voluntary Arunachal Senaa, raised concerns about certain contracts awarded by the State of Arunachal Pradesh, alleging favoritism towards relatives of the then Chief Minister. These allegations formed the basis of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Gauhati High Court. However, the High Court did not find substantial evidence to support the petitioner’s claims. The matter was subsequently brought before the Supreme Court through a Special Leave Petition (SLP).

Contentions of the Petitioners

• Mr. Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner, vehemently argued that the contracts awarded by the State of Arunachal Pradesh were tainted by nepotism and favoritism.
• The petitioner urged the court to investigate the alleged irregularities and take appropriate action against those responsible.

Contentions of the Respondents

• The respondents, represented by learned senior counsel and additional solicitor general, refuted the petitioner’s allegations, labelling them as baseless and unsubstantiated.
• They contended that the High Court had already scrutinized the matter and found no merit in the petitioner’s claims.

Issue – The primary issue before the court was whether there were sufficient grounds to warrant further investigation into the alleged irregularities in the awarding of contracts by the State of Arunachal Pradesh.

Court’s Analysis and Judgement

After hearing arguments from both sides, the Supreme Court decided to dispose of the petition. The court directed the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) to examine the complaints raised by the petitioner in the PIL. Emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in governmental contracts, the court stressed the need for a thorough investigation into the allegations.

Furthermore, the court refrained from commenting on subsequent contracts mentioned in interlocutory applications, as separate writ petitions had been filed concerning those contracts.

The judgment in Voluntary Arunachal Senaa v. The State of Arunachal Pradesh & Ors. underscores the judiciary’s role in upholding accountability and transparency in governance. By directing the CAG to investigate the allegations raised by the petitioner, the court reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring probity in public affairs. This ruling serves as a significant step towards fostering trust and integrity in governmental processes.

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Judgement Reviewed by – Chiraag K A

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