Guwahati, Sept. 8 -- The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Union Government to submit its response within three weeks to a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging that Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu awarded government contracts to his family members.

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta noted that the state had already filed its affidavit as per the apex court's March 18 order.

The PIL, filed by NGOs Save Mon Region Federation and Voluntary Arunachal Senaa, claimed that government contracts in the state were being systematically awarded to the CM's close relatives.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioners, told the court that the Centre had not yet filed its affidavit, as required ...