Today, on February 22, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched raids at over 30 locations, including residences of former Governor of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Satyapal Malik, in Delhi and Bagpat. With approximately 100 officers deployed for the operation across multiple cities, the investigation revolves around alleged corruption concerning the awarding of a contract for civil work worth Rs 2,200 crore for the Kiru Hydroelectric project (HEP) in Kisthtwar in 2019.
Malik, who served as the governor of Jammu and Kashmir from August 23, 2018, to October 30, 2019, claimed that he was offered a Rs 300-crore bribe for clearing two files, one of which pertained to the aforementioned project.
Reacting to the raids, Malik took to his social media handle, stating, “I have been ill for the last three to four days and am admitted to the hospital. Despite this, my house is being raided by the dictator through government agencies. My driver and my assistant are also being raided and harassed unnecessarily.” He further asserted, “I am a farmer's son, I will not be afraid of these raids. I am with the farmers.”
The CBI had earlier stated, “The case was registered on allegations of malpractices in the award of the contract worth approximately Rs 2,200 crore of civil works of Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project (HEP) to a private company in the year 2019.”
Among those booked by the agency are the former chairman of the Chenab Valley Power Projects (Private) Limited, Navin Kumar Chaudhary, and former officials M S Babu, M K Mittal, and Arun Kumar Mishra, along with Patel Engineering Limited. Chaudhary is a 1994-batch Jammu and Kashmir-cadre (now AGMUT cadre) Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer.
The Kiru Hydroelectric Project Case: Unraveling Allegations
Former Governor Malik's claims of being offered a hefty bribe during his tenure led to the registration of two cases by the CBI in April 2022. These cases encompassed investigations into alleged irregularities involving Anil Ambani's Reliance General Insurance Company (RGIC), Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPPL), and others.
The allegations revolve around two main issues:
A purported scam of approximately Rs 60 crore in the awarding of the contract for the Jammu and Kashmir Employees Health Care Insurance Scheme to a private entity.
Allegations of misconduct in the awarding of a Rs 2,200 crore contract for civil works related to the Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project (HEP) to a private firm in 2019.i
The FIR lodged by the CBI in the Kiru Hydel Project case highlighted discrepancies in the adherence to e-tendering guidelines during the contract award process. Despite a decision being made in favor of re-tendering through e-tendering in the 47th board meeting, it was allegedly not implemented. Subsequently, the decision was reversed in the 48th board meeting.
Previous Searches and Developments
Prior to today's raids, the CBI conducted searches on December 2 at six locations in Delhi, Noida, Chandigarh, and Shimla in connection with the case. Further searches were carried out on January 29, 2024, at around eight locations in Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the recovery of digital devices, computers, property documents, and incriminating documents, alongside cash exceeding ₹21 lakhs. These investigative efforts underscore the ongoing pursuit of justice in the face of alleged corruption.
Who is Satya Pal Mailk?
77-year-old Satya Pal Malik has been a Member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly (MLA) once and a Member of Parliament (MP) both in Rajya Sabha nad Lok Sabha. It was during Malik's tenure as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to abrogate Article 370 on August 5, 2019. He has also been the Governor of Bihar, Odisha, Goa, and Meghalaya.
Coming from a Jat family, Satya Pal Malik has been a part of almost every political ideology in the country. He has been associated with the Samajwadi Party, Congress, Janata Dal, and BJP. Born in western Uttar Pradesh to a Jat farmer family, Malik was influenced by Lohia's socialism and started his political career as a student leader. In the 70s, he joined Chaudhary Charan Singh, who was emerging as a new force in UP to oppose ruling Congress.
In 1974, Chaudhary Charan Singh gave Satya Pal Malik a ticket from the Bharatiya Kranti Dal and Malik was elected MLA at the age of 28. However, when Malik realized that associating with Chaudhary would limit him to the politics of western UP only, he joined the Congress. He reached the Rajya Sabha in 1984.
Within the next few years, Malik left the Congress and joined the Janata Dal. He was elected to Loksabha from Aligarh, UP in 1989. He was also a minister in VP Singh government. Later during Narendra Modi wave he joined BJP in 2014 and served as the National Vice President of the saffron party.
Satya Pal Malik has been constantly attacking the BJP government at the Center over the farmers' movement, Article 370, and the Agniveer scheme. Recently, he had also praised the decision to give Bharat Ratna to Chaudhary Charan Singh.
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