CBI submits chargesheet alleging irregularities in Kiru Hydropower contract award, marking a major development in Jammu and Kashmir’s high-profile corruption probe.
#BREAKING
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) May 22, 2025
CBI charges former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik & five others in the Kiru Hydropower scam
Case tied to alleged irregularities in awarding a Rs 2,200 crore civil works contract
Malik had earlier claimed he was offered Rs 300 crore bribe to clear the deal during his… pic.twitter.com/YII0JgOjOp
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik and several others over alleged corruption in the Kiru Hydropower Project contract worth ₹2,200 crore. Following a detailed three-year probe, the agency accused Malik and key officials of bypassing mandated tendering procedures, favoring Patel Engineering Limited for the civil works contract in 2019. The chargesheet, submitted on May 22, 2025, signals a crucial phase in this high-profile investigation impacting the politics and governance of Jammu and Kashmir.
What Are the Allegations Against Satya Pal Malik and Others in the Kiru Hydropower Case?
The case centers on alleged irregularities in awarding the Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project contract. The CBI alleges that the 47th board meeting of Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Ltd (CVPPPL) had decided to re-tender the contract using e-tendering and reverse auction, but this decision was ignored. Instead, the contract was directly awarded to Patel Engineering Limited, bypassing the official process designed to ensure transparency and fairness.
Besides Satya Pal Malik, the chargesheet includes his aides Virender Rana and Kanwar Singh Rana; CVPPPL officials like managing director M S Babu and directors Arun Kumar Mishra and M K Mittal; Patel Engineering’s managing director Rupen Patel; and private individual Kanwaljeet Singh Duggal. The probe began after the J&K government requested a CBI investigation in 2022, partly fueled by Malik’s public claim that he was offered a ₹300-crore bribe related to this project.
How Has Satya Pal Malik Responded and What Are the Next Steps in the Case?
Satya Pal Malik, currently hospitalized, has denied all charges, asserting that he had exposed corruption and is being targeted for political reasons. On social media, he emphasized his stance as a “farmer’s son” unafraid to stand against pressure or intimidation.
READ: https://t.co/lT0mTKYUx9
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) May 22, 2025
CBI files chargesheet against ex-J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik in Kiru hydropower scam.
Malik shares hospital photo, says: “My condition is critical.” @SatyapalMalik6 @CBIHeadquarters
Writes @iAtulKrishan1
The filing of the chargesheet means the case will now proceed in a special court where the accused will get an opportunity to defend themselves. The CBI will present its evidence, and the legal process will determine if the allegations lead to convictions. This case highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring accountability in major infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir and could have wider implications for governance reforms in the region.
