CBI raids ex-J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik's premises: All about the Kiru Hydroelectric Power Project case

Satya Pal Malik claimed he was offered Rs 300 crore for clearing two files, including the one pertaining to the project.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 22 carried out searches at the premises linked to former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik in connection with alleged corruption in the Kiru Hydroelectric Power Project.

According to reports, the probe agency began its operation with around 100 officers mobilised to visit 30 locations in multiple cities. “I have been ill for the last 3-4 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,” posted Malik on the social media platform X.

Satya Pal Malik served as the 10th Governor of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, from August 2018 to October 2019.

Here's all about the case.

All about case

There were allegations of malpractices in the award of the contract worth approximately Rs 2,200 crore of civil works for the Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project (HEP) to a private company in 2019. It was alleged that the contract was awarded without following the guidelines for e-tendering.

On 20 April, 2022, the case was registered at the request of the Jammu and Kashmir Government against the then Chairman and the MD, two then Directors of Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPPPL), a private company and unknown others on the allegations of malpractices, according to ANI.

A decision was taken in the Board Meeting of CVPPPL to re-tender through e-tendering with the reverse auction after the cancellation of the ongoing tendering process. However, the same was not implemented and the tender was finally awarded to the said private company.

Malik claimed he was offered Rs 300 crore for clearing two files, including the one pertaining to the project.

Raids till now

In early 2023, CBI raids were conducted at 12 locations in Delhi and Rajasthan, including the house of the ex-press secretary, chartered accountant, and personal assistant of the former J&K governor.

In December last year, the CBI had searched six locations in Delhi, Noida, Chandigarh, and Shimla. According to reports, in January the probe agency had conducted searches at around eight locations in Delhi and J&K. According to reports, digital devices, computers, property documents, and "incriminating" documents, in addition to cash of over Rs 21 lakh were recovered.