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A plea has been filed in Supreme Court seeking CBI probe regarding the unnatural death of late Kalikho Pul, Ex Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh on 09.08.2016.

It has been argued that the police did not do any proper investigation in the matter, irrespective of late Kalikho Pul leaving behind a one big note as “Mere Vichar” in which he included name of politicians including the present Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Shri Pema Khandu & his father Dorjee Khandu, former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh mentioning about corruption & corrupt practices. 

“No fruitful result came out & nothing has been done despite the people of Arunachal Pradesh raising their voices. The people of the state have lost faith in the Govt & the Constitution.”, the plea states. 

The plea has been preferred by Social Vigilance Team, a social activist organisation whose President is a public spirited & permanent resident of Arunachal Pradesh. It has been settled by Sr Adv Dr IM Quddusi &  filed through Advocate on Record Ansar Ahmad Chaudhary. The same is listed to be heard tomorrow on April 29, 2021 before the bench of Justice UU Lalit, Justice Indira Banerjee & Justice KM Joseph. 

Factual Background 

Late Kalikho Pul was a member of Indian National Congress Party & was elected to the State Legislature on its ticket five times. He held various ministries & in particular finance ministry. In 2015, Late Kalikho Pul was expelled from the Congress party for anti party activities & he further obtained a stay on the same from the Civil Court. 

In November 2015, Late Kalikho Pul along with 20 Congress MLAs challenged the leadership of the then Chief Minister, Shri Tuki. On 8th December 2015, the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh preponed the assembly session to 16th December & sent a message to the assembly. This was challenged by the then Speaker of Assembly before the High court & the High Court upheld the Governor’s actions. The High Court’s order was then challenged by the Speaker before the Supreme Court & the President of India imposed President’s rule on January 26, 2016 while the matter was pending in Supreme Court. 

Upon lifting of the President’s Rule, late Kalikho Pul was sworn in as the 8th Chief Minister of the State of Arunachal Pradesh on February 19, 2016 & on July 13, 2016 the Supreme Court by its judgement reinstated Shri Tuki as Chief Minister of the State. Due to internal party politics within the state Congress unit of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Tuki resigned & Shri Pema Khandu was sworn in as the Chief Minister. 

On 09.08.2016, Shri Kalikho Pul passed away & thereafter, Sh Surendra Kumar, personal security officer of Shri Kalikho Pul lodged an FIR on 09.08.2016 before the Officer in Charge of Police Station, Itanagar with a request to make investigations to find out the truth. Consequently, a case was registered u/s 174 CrPC, 1973 & widow of Shri Kalikho Pul also filed an FIR. 

The petitioners have averred that without any investigation & to prejudice the path of justice, the media started publishing the story that Late Kalikho Pul committed suicide by hanging himself as he was under serious depression. 

“Contrary to that, Late Kalikho Pul was a courageous man who was known for his determination against corruption was sserious challenge to the people who were in power & involved in illicit practice of governance & corruption”, the plea further states.

It was also averred by the petitioners that Late Kalikho Pul was getting constant threats from the people who were/are in power due to his courageous approach. 

“The petitioners & the people of Arunachal Pradesh have high apprehensions that the Additional District Magistrate & State Police being under the control of the State Government might be influenced by the government.”, - excerpt from the plea

In light of the above facts, the plea seeks for issuance of writ directing a CBI probe into the unnatural death of late Kalikho Pul considering his last note, “Mere Vichaar” & other materials against persons named including Shri Pema Khandu & allegations. The plea also seeks for passing a direction to conduct a fair & seditious enquiry & file a detailed report before the Court. 

Case Title: Social Vigilance Team v. State of Arunachal Pradesh & Ors