CBI searches 16 sites in case flagged by former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik
New Delhi, July 6
The CBI on Wednesday said it had conducted searches at 16 locations across the country in connection with its investigation into alleged bribery charges flagged by former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik in awarding civil work contract worth Rs 2,200 crore for the Kiru hydropower project in Kishtwar in 2019.
A spokesperson of the Central Bureau of Investigation said the search covered two places in Srinagar, five each in Jammu and Delhi, three in Mumbai and one in Patna belonging to middlemen and associates involved in the project.
‘Offered Rs 300-cr bribe’
- Ex-Guv Satya Pal Malik had alleged he was offered Rs 300 crore for clearing two files.
- Irregularities were highlighted in award of Rs 2,200-crore contract for a project in 2019.
The official said, “During the three-month’s probe, the CBI found evidence relating to the alleged role of middlemen, including Navin Kumar Chaudhary, the then chairman of the Chenab Valley Power Projects (P) Ltd, in some fraudulent financial transactions and this led to fresh round of searches.”
The search was being conducted on the premises of Rupen Patel, chairman and MD of Patel Engineering Ltd in Mumbai, Vijay Gupta and Amrendra Kumar Singh among others.
Malik, who was the J&K Governor between August 23, 2018 and October 30, 2019, had claimed he was offered Rs 300 crore as bribe for clearing two files.
In its FIR pertaining to the alleged malpractices in awarding contract for civil work package of Kiru hydroelectric power project registered on April 20 this year, the CBI had said guidelines related to e-tendering were not followed.
The CBI had also conducted searches after registering the FIR on April 21, 2022 on the premises of accused.
The agency has booked Navin Kumar Chaudhary, MS Babu, MK Mittal and Arun Kumar Mishra among others.
“Though a decision was taken in the 47th board meeting of CVPPPL (Chenab Valley Power Projects (P) Ltd) for re-tender through e-tendering with reverse auction after cancellation of the ongoing tendering process, the same was not implemented (as per decision taken in 48th board meeting) and tender was finally awarded to Patel Engineering Ltd,” the CBI FIR has alleged.
