The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated searches at more than 30 locations, including properties associated with former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik. The raids are part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption related to the awarding of a contract for the Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project (HEP) in the Union territory.
The case centers around accusations of corruption in the allocation of civil works for the Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project, valued at ₹2,200 crore. Officials have disclosed that the federal agency is scrutinizing various premises linked to Satya Pal Malik in connection with the probe.
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Satya Pal Malik, who served as the governor of Jammu and Kashmir from August 23, 2018, to October 30, 2019, had earlier claimed that he was offered a bribe of ₹300 crore to expedite clearance for two files, one of which was associated with the 624-megawatt Kiru project—a run-of-river scheme situated along the Chenab river in Kishtwar district.
The CBI had previously conducted searches at approximately eight locations in Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir in the course of the ongoing investigation. During these searches, digital devices, computers, property documents, incriminating documents, and a sum of over ₹21 lakh in cash were reportedly seized.
According to a CBI spokesperson, the case was registered based on a reference from the Jammu and Kashmir government against the then chairman, managing director, and directors of CVPPPL (Chenab Valley Power Projects (P) Ltd), a private company, and other unidentified individuals.
The allegations suggest that in the awarding of civil works for the Kiru hydroelectric project, established guidelines for e-tendering were purportedly disregarded. The FIR claimed that despite a decision being made in the 47th Board meeting of CVPPPL for re-tender through e-tendering with reverse auction after canceling the ongoing tendering process, the decision was not implemented as per the 48th board meeting, and the tender was eventually awarded to Patel Engineering Ltd.
Malik had also served as Goa Governor between November 2019 to August 2020 soon after his tenure in Jammu and Kashmir. He back then, had claimed that there was corruption in everything Goa government did.
