Former Governor of J&K Satyapal Malik. ANI file
Srinagar, February 22: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday conducted searches at the house and other premises of former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik in a corruption case related to a small hydropower project.
The investigating agency has conducted searches at 30 places in the case of corruption in awarding contracts for hydroelectric projects in the Union Territory. Sources said that Satyapal Malik’s house in Delhi is also being searched.
Small Hydro Power Project (HEP) on the Chenab River in Kishtwar District. Officials said there was corruption in allocating civil works worth Rs 2,200 crore to the project.
Satya and Pal Malik, who was the Governor of Kashmir between August 2, 2018 and October 30, 2019, are accused of taking a bribe of Rs 30 crore for two files related to 624 MW. In the ongoing investigation, the probe agency conducted searches at around eight locations in Delhi and Kashmir last month. Over Rs 21 lakh in cash was seized in the raid, along with digital devices, computers, property records, and incriminating documents.
Based on the reference received by the Jammu and Kashmir government, a case was registered against the then Chairman, MD, and Director of CVPPPL private company and unknown others. A CBI spokesperson said that e-tendering guidelines were not followed in the award of civil works related to small hydropower projects.
The currently ongoing tender process should be canceled, and tenders should be invited again through reverse tenders through e-tenders. A decision was taken in the 47th Governing Council meeting of CVPPPL (Chennai Valley Power Projects (P) Limited), but it has not been implemented. It has been alleged in the FIR that it was given to Patel Engineering Limited at the 48th board meeting.
It was alleged that guidelines were violated in the allocation of civil works related to Kiru Hydroelectric Project.
There was no compliance regarding e-tendering. “Although this decision was taken in the 47th board meeting
For re-tendering through e-tendering with CVPPL (Chenab Valley Power Projects (P) Limited)
Reverse auction was not conducted after the ongoing tendering process was cancelled.
Implemented (as per decision taken in 48th Board meeting) and finally awarded the tender
Patel Engineering Limited,” the FIR alleges
