NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday filed the chargesheet against former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik and five others in connection with the Kiru hydropower corruption case, PTI reported quoting officials. In 2024, the CBI had carried out searches at eight locations across Delhi and Jammu as part of a probe into alleged corruption involving the awarding of civil contracts worth Rs 2,200 crore for the Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project.The investigation stems from a request made by the Jammu and Kashmir government in 2022, seeking a CBI inquiry into suspected irregularities in the awarding of two major contracts. These concerns were initially raised by Satya Pal Malik, who served as the governor of J&K from August 23, 2018, to October 30, 2019.

Malik had publicly alleged that he was offered a Rs 300 crore bribe to approve two files, one of which related to the Kiru project.After a CBI search at his residence last year, he denied all corruption allegations. Malik stated that instead of investigating those he accused of corruption, the agency targeted him. “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,” he posted online.The CBI has booked Navin Kumar Choudhary, then chairman of Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPPL), along with officials M S Babu, M K Mittal, and Arun Kumar Mishra, and Patel Engineering Limited. The FIR alleges a re-tender decision taken in the 47th board meeting was not followed through, and the contract was eventually awarded improperly.