Agartala, March 24, 2025: A heated debate took place in the state assembly as Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman sought Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha’s intervention regarding a Rs 28 crore compensation ordered by the Tripura High Court to a foreign contractor involved in the construction of an international stadium. The compensation directive issued by Justice Arindam Lodh has sparked controversy with the MLA raising concerns over alleged corruption in the Tripura Cricket Association (TCA).

Raising the issue during the second day of the budget session, MLA Barman criticized the lack of transparency in the financial dealings of TCA and called for urgent government action. “In 2023, serious allegations surfaced regarding corruption worth crores in the floodlights of MBB Stadium and the under-construction International Ground at Narsingarh. The matter even reached the High Court, which led to the formation of an SIT. However, the findings of that committee are yet to be disclosed to the public,” he asserted.

The Congress leader further pointed out that Justice Arindam Lodh, who passed the compensation order retiring tomorrow, adding to the urgency of the situation. “The decision to award Rs 28 crore to the contractor has been taken just before the judge’s retirement. The state government must ensure that public funds are not misused without thorough scrutiny,” he remarked.

In response, Chief Minister Dr Saha clarified that the Tripura Cricket Association operates as an autonomous body, and the state government cannot directly intervene in its matters. “The issue is currently subjudice. The court will look into the matter and decide accordingly,” the Chief Minister said, adding that due legal process will be followed.

The matter remains contentious, with political and administrative implications surrounding TCA’s financial transparency and government accountability. The opposition continues to demand greater scrutiny, while the government maintains that the judiciary will have the final say.