Nearly two years after registering an FIR, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out searches at over 30 premises linked to former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik and a few others in eight States and union territories as part of the probe into Kiru Hydropower project corruption case.

It’s learnt that around 100 CBI officials were involved in the searches at locations in Gurugram, Chandigarh, Patna, Delhi, Jodhpur, Barmer, Noida and Baghpat associated with Malik and others involved in the case of awarding civil contract for Kiru Hydro Electric Project, worth ₹2,200 crore. Of them, eight premises, including three flats in Gurugram and an apartment in Asiad Games Village in Delhi, are said to be linked to Malik. This is the second raid in the case, with the first one taking place in January.

A CBI spokesperson said the searches were conducted at over 30 locations spread across eight States and UTs. The power project was being executed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Ltd. (CVPPPL). “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 spokesperson said.

‘Misuse of agencies’

Malik, who has been admitted in a hospital for the past few days, posted on social media to confirm the raids were taking place at his residence. “Despite my illness, my residence is being raided by authoritarian forces. My driver and assistant are being needlessly harassed through these searches,” he lamented in a post on X.

Malik claimed the searches at his premises are an offshoot of his complaint exposing people allegedly involved in corruption. “They won’t get anything except a few kurtas and pyjamas. The dictator is trying to scare me by misusing government agencies,” he wrote on X. Malik said that he is son of a famer and that he won’t be cowed down or be afraid of such actions.

Earlier, Malik had created a flutter after he revealed that he was offered ₹300 crore for clearing two files, including the hydro power project while he was J&K Governor..

In its FIR registered on April 20, 2022, the CBI booked former chairman of the Chenab Valley Power Projects, Navin Kumar Chaudhary and other former officials — M S Babu, M K Mittal and Arun Kumar Mishra — and Patel Engineering Ltd. It was alleged that in awarding civil works related to Kiru Hydroelectric Project, guidelines regarding e-tendering were not followed. It was also alleged that though a decision was taken in 47th board meeting of CVPPPL for re-tender through e-tendering with reverse auction, after cancellation of ongoing tendering process, same was not implemented and the decision of 47th board meeting, was reversed in the 48th board meeting, the spokesperson elaborated on irregularities that are under scanner of sleuths.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW