The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently conducting searches at more than 30 locations, including the residence of former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik. This investigation is part of a probe into alleged corruption to the awarding of a contract for a hydel project in the Union territory.
The case centers around alleged corruption in the awarding of civil works for the Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project (HEP), valued at ₹2,200 crore, according to officials familiar with the matter. Satya Pal Malik, who was the governor of Jammu and Kashmir from August 23, 2018, to October 30, 2019, claimed that he was offered a bribe of ₹300 crore to expedite the clearance of two files, one of which pertained to the 624-megawatt Kiru project. This project involves a run-of-river scheme situated along the Chenab river in Kishtwar district.
The CBI had registered a case in April 2022 against five individuals, including Malik, in connection with alleged irregularities in awarding contracts worth for the projects.
Responding to the allegations, Malik, who has been admitted to the hospital for the past few days, stated, “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.”
During the farmers’ agitation against the Union government’s now-repealed farm laws, Malik, a BJP leader, had expressed solidarity with the farmers and asserted that he had directly appealed to the prime minister on their behalf.
In a previous round of investigation last month, the Central agency conducted searches at approximately eight locations in Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir. During these searches, the CBI seized digital devices, computers, property documents, incriminating evidence, and cash amounting to over ₹21 lakh.
A spokesperson for the CBI disclosed that the case was initiated based on a reference received from the Jammu and Kashmir government against the former chairman, managing director, and directors of Chenab Valley Power Projects (P) Ltd (CVPPPL), a private company, along with unidentified accomplices.
It has been alleged that the guidelines pertaining to e-tendering were not adhered to in the awarding of civil works for the Kiru hydroelectric project. The CBI has booked former chairman of the CVPPPL Navin Kumar Chaudhary and other former officials M S Babu, M K Mittal and Arun Kumar Mishra and Patel Engineering Ltd.
The FIR asserts that despite a decision being made during the 47th board meeting of CVPPPL to re-tender through e-tendering with reverse auction following the cancellation of the ongoing tendering process, this decision was not implemented as agreed upon during the subsequent 48th board meeting. Consequently, the tender was ultimately awarded to Patel Engineering Ltd, as per the FIR.
