The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently conducting searches at 30 locations associated with former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik as part of an investigation into alleged corruption involving the Kiru Hydropower project. The agency’s operation, which began in the morning, involves approximately 100 officers deployed to various cities across the country.
The case revolves around suspected corruption in the awarding of civil contracts for the Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project (HEP), valued at ₹2,200 crore. The CBI had initiated a case in April 2022 against five individuals, including Mr. Malik, over alleged irregularities in the awarding of contracts for the projects.
During his tenure as governor from August 23, 2018, to October 30, 2019, Mr. Malik claimed he was offered a bribe of ₹300 crore to expedite the approval of two files, including one related to the aforementioned project. In response to the ongoing searches, Mr. Malik, who is currently hospitalized, asserted, “Despite my illness, my residence is being raided by authoritarian forces. My driver and assistant are being needlessly harassed through these searches. I am not afraid of these raids; I stand with the farmers. These actions won’t deter me.”
The CBI has also filed charges against former chairman of the Chenab Valley Power Projects (P) Ltd, Navin Kumar Chaudhary, along with other former officials MS Babu, M K Mittal, and Arun Kumar Mishra, as well as Patel Engineering Ltd.
According to the FIR, despite a decision to re-tender through e-tendering with reverse auction after canceling the ongoing tendering process, the awarding of the tender to Patel Engineering Ltd was not implemented as per the decision taken in the 48th board meeting.
Previously, the agency had conducted searches at the premises of five individuals in January in connection with the same case.
