Former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik Charged in ₹2,200 Cr Kiru Project Bribery Case

Former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik Charged in ₹2,200 Cr Kiru Project Bribery Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a detailed charge sheet implicating former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik in a high-profile corruption case involving a ₹2,200 crore civil contract for the Kiru hydroelectric project over the Chenab River in Kishtwar. The agency claims that Malik accepted bribes routed through two close aides to award the contract to Patel Engineering Ltd.

The charge sheet, submitted to a special CBI court in Jammu last month, names Malik (aged 79), his two aides Virendra Rana and Kanwar Singh Rana, and officials from Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Ltd (CVPPPL), along with senior executives from Patel Engineering Ltd.

Three-Year Probe Uncovers Alleged Money Trail

According to senior CBI officials familiar with the investigation, a robust money trail links the alleged bribe transactions to Malik’s aides. “After thorough investigation and corroborated witness testimonies, we have provided clear documentary evidence establishing the role of the former governor in the corruption,” said a CBI official.

The agency invoked Section 120-B of the J&K Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) and J&K Prevention of Corruption Act to charge Malik, noting that no prior prosecution sanction was required since the alleged acts occurred before the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.

Key Players Named in CBI Charge Sheet

The charge sheet names the following individuals and entities:

• Satya Pal Malik, former Governor of J&K
• Virendra Rana and Kanwar Singh Rana, Malik’s private secretaries
• M.S. Babu, then MD of CVPPPL
• Arun Kumar Mishra and M.K. Mittal, Directors at CVPPPL
• Rupen Patel, MD of Patel Engineering Ltd
• Kanwaljeet Singh Duggal, construction executive

The CBI has alleged that Malik, through his aides, ensured that Patel Engineering won the lucrative contract, despite board decisions within CVPPPL initially favoring a re-tendering process via e-auctions. This process was reportedly circumvented during a later board meeting, resulting in Patel Engineering’s selection.

Malik Denies Allegations, Cites Health Concerns

Responding to the developments, a representative for Malik stated that the former governor is undergoing treatment for a serious kidney-related medical condition and is currently not in a position to comment further.

However, in a post on June 7 on social platform X (formerly Twitter), Malik wrote:

“The tender they want to implicate me in was one I personally cancelled. I had informed the Prime Minister about the corruption in that matter, and after informing him, I cancelled that tender myself. After my transfer, that tender was approved with someone else’s signature.”

Background: Bribe Allegations and Political Fallout

Malik, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appointee, served as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir between August 2018 and October 2019, a crucial period that saw the scrapping of the state’s special constitutional status under Article 370. In October 2021, two years after his term ended, Malik alleged that he was offered a ₹300-crore bribe to clear two files, one of which involved the Kiru hydroelectric project.

Though the CBI filed the FIR in April 2022, Malik was not initially named as an accused. Officials said that his alleged role became apparent later during the investigation.

Malik, once seen as a trusted BJP figure, has since turned a critic of the NDA government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly over the handling of the farmers’ protests and the Pulwama terror attack.

Legal and Political Implications

Legal experts say this case could set a precedent in terms of charging individuals who have held constitutional posts without needing prior sanctions—especially under older state-specific laws now defunct post the reorganization of J&K.

The case also raises serious concerns about corruption in public infrastructure projects and the influence of political and bureaucratic channels in awarding multi-crore contracts.

The court is yet to take cognizance of the charge sheet. If it does, Malik could face formal trial proceedings. Meanwhile, the public and political fallout continues to build as opposition parties and civil society groups demand greater accountability and transparency in such large-scale public sector undertakings.