CBI searches ex-governor Satya Pal Malik's premises in hydropower corruption case

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The CBI conducted searches at the premises of former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik and 29 other locations on Thursday in connection with alleged corruption in the Rs 2,200-crore Kiru Hydropower project.

"During searches evidence of huge cash deposits, investment in fixed deposits, investment in properties in various cities, digital and documentary evidence, etc. have been recovered," the CBI spokesperson said in a statement.

The federal agency started its operation in the morning, with around 100 officers mobilised to swoop down at the 30 locations in Jammu, Srinagar, Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai, Baghpat, Noida, Patna, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Barmer, Nagaur and Chandigarh.

As per news wire PTI report, premises linked to Malik at R K Puram, Dwarka and Asian Games Village in Delhi, besides those in Gurugram and Baghpat were also searched, officials said. The searches also covered the premises of alleged associates of Malik, associates of former chairman of Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited Navin Kumar Chaudhary and officials of Patel Engineering Limited.

The former Governor, Malik posted on X that his residence was raided by the CBI instead of investigating the people he had complained about and who were involved in corruption.

"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. I am a farmer's son, I will not be afraid of these raids. I am with the farmers," he said.

"They will not get anything except 4-5 kurtas and pyjamas. The dictator is trying to scare me by misusing government agencies. I am a farmer's son, I will neither be afraid nor bow down," Malik posted.

The case pertains to alleged corruption in awarding a civil-work contract related to the Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project (HEP) worth Rs 2,200 crore. Malik, who was the governor of Jammu and Kashmir from August 23, 2018 to October 30, 2019, had claimed that he was offered a Rs 300-crore bribe for clearing two files, including the one pertaining to the project, reported PTI.

In January too the agency had conducted searches at the premises of five people in the connection with the same case.

(With PTI Inputs)