The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is presently carrying out searches at 30 locations associated with former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik as part of an inquiry into suspected corruption linked to the Kiru Hydropower project.
The operation commenced in the morning, with approximately 100 officers deployed to various locations across multiple cities, according to officials.
The core of the case revolves around alleged corruption in the allocation of civil works for the Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project (HEP), valued at ₹2,200 crore.
In April 2022, the CBI initiated legal proceedings against five individuals, including Mr. Malik, citing potential irregularities in the awarding of contracts related to the projects.
During his tenure as the governor of Jammu and Kashmir from August 23, 2018, to October 30, 2019, Mr. Malik claimed that he was offered a ₹300-crore bribe for hastening the clearance of two files, one of which was associated with the aforementioned project.
Responding to the accusations, Satya Pal Malik, presently admitted to the hospital, expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, “Despite my illness, my residence is being raided by authoritarian forces. My driver and assistant are being needlessly harassed through these searches.” He further conveyed his resilience, asserting, “I am not afraid of these raids; I stand with the farmers. These actions won’t deter me.”
The CBI has booked several individuals, including the former chairman of the Chenab Valley Power Projects (P) Ltd Navin Kumar Chaudhary, and other former officials M S Babu, M K Mittal, and Arun Kumar Mishra. Patel Engineering Ltd is also mentioned in connection with the case.
पिछले 3-4 दिनों से मैं बिमार हूं ओर हस्पताल में भर्ती हूं। जिसके वावजूद मेरे मकान में तानाशाह द्वारा सरकारी एजेंसियों से छापे डलवाएं जा रहें हैं। मेरे ड्राईवर, मेरे साहयक के ऊपर भी छापे मारकर उनको बेवजह परेशान किया जा रहा है।
में किसान का बेटा हूं, इन छापों से घबराऊंगा नहीं। में…— Satyapal Malik 🇮🇳 (@SatyapalmalikG) February 22, 2024
According to the FIR, despite a decision in the 47th Board meeting of CVPPPL to re-tender through e-tendering with reverse auction following the cancellation of an ongoing tendering process, the same was not implemented as per the decision taken in the 48th board meeting. Eventually, the tender was awarded to Patel Engineering Ltd. In connection with this case, the CBI had previously conducted searches at the premises of five individuals in January.
The current investigation into the purported corruption associated with the Kiru Hydropower project and the participation of Satya Pal Malik and other individuals is in progress.