The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a sweeping operation, conducting searches at 30 locations associated with former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik. This move is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption related to the Kiru Hydropower project. The agency deployed approximately 100 officers across multiple cities to carry out these searches, marking a significant development in the case.
At the heart of the matter is the purported corruption in the awarding of civil works contracts for the Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project, valued at ₹2,200 crore. The CBI had initiated a case in April 2022, implicating five individuals, including Mr. Malik, over suspected irregularities in contract awards for the project.
Former Governor Satya Pal Malik, who served in Jammu and Kashmir from August 23, 2018, to October 30, 2019, has been at the center of controversy after alleging that he was offered a staggering ₹300 crore bribe to approve certain files, including those concerning the aforementioned project.
In response to the raid, Mr. Malik, currently hospitalized, condemned the action, characterizing it as authoritarian and unwarranted. He lamented the harassment faced by his driver and assistant during the searches, attributing the raids to what he described as "authoritarian forces." However, he remained resolute, affirming that these actions would not intimidate him, and he reiterated his support for farmers.
The CBI's investigation has also ensnared other prominent figures, including former chairman of the Chenab Valley Power Projects (P) Ltd, Navin Kumar Chaudhary, along with former officials M S Babu, M K Mittal, and Arun Kumar Mishra, as well as Patel Engineering Ltd.
The FIR lodged by the CBI alleges discrepancies in the tendering process, highlighting a decision purportedly made during the 47th Board meeting of CVPPPL for re-tendering through e-tendering with reverse auction. However, the FIR claims this decision was not implemented, leading to the eventual awarding of the tender to Patel Engineering Ltd.
This recent search operation follows earlier raids conducted by the agency in January at the premises of five individuals linked to the case, underscoring the CBI's commitment to thoroughly investigate allegations of corruption and malfeasance.
The developments surrounding the Kiru Hydropower project corruption probe underscore the gravity of the situation, shedding light on the intricate web of alleged corruption and impropriety that continues to plague significant infrastructure projects in the region. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the implicated individuals will respond and what ramifications this probe will have on the political and bureaucratic landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.
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