Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. He was undergoing dialysis treatment at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi and had been on ventilatory support.
The 79-year-old politician, known for his outspoken criticism of the Modi government following his removal as Governor of Meghalaya, had been in the headlines recently over a corruption case. Earlier in May, the CBI filed a chargesheet against Malik and seven others in connection with the alleged irregularities in awarding a ₹2,200-crore civil works contract for the Kiru Hydropower Project.
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had visited Malik at RML Hospital on May 23 during his period of illness.
The chargesheet named Malik and his two aides, Virender Rana and Kanwar Singh Rana, alleging malpractice in the 2019 tender process. Malik had previously claimed he was offered a ₹300-crore bribe to approve two files, one related to the Kiru project, during his tenure as Governor.
Soon after the chargesheet was filed, Malik’s official ‘X’ handle posted a photo of him in a hospital bed, connected to multiple medical devices. The accompanying message read:
“I am getting calls from many of my well-wishers which I am unable to take. My condition is very bad right now. I am admitted in the hospital and am not in a condition to talk to anyone.”
The CBI had conducted searches at the premises of Malik and others in February last year after registering the case in 2022. Malik served as Governor of Jammu and Kashmir from August 23, 2018, to October 30, 2019.
