Former J&K governor who spoke out for farmers dies

{ SATYAPAL MALIK } 1946-2025

- Sunetra Choudhury

In late May, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI filed a charge sheet against 79-year-old Satyapal Malik, accusing the former Jammu & Kashmir governor of receiving bribes for awarding a 2,200 crore contract to build a hydroelectric project in Kishtwar.

Ironically, the case first came to light after Malik went public about offers of bribery to the governor's office in October, 2021. Three years later, the whistleblower became an accused, one of the many dramatic transitions and controversies that became a recurring theme in the last years of the veteran politician's life.

Malik died at L12pm on Tuesday in Delhi after a prolonged illness. Coincidentally, the day also marked the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 that granted special status to J&K, a fateful event Malik oversaw as the last governor of the state, serving from August, 2018 to October, 2019. And, the self-declared disciple of socialist leader and freedom fighter Ram Manohar Lohia, died ata hospital named after his idol.

“When he first fell ill in February 2024, CBI raided him, and when was again admitted on May Il this year, CBI charge sheeted him. It started with a urinary tract infection and then impacted his kidneys, his heart, and then other organs,” said KS Rana, Malik’s aide since 1980. Rana was named as a co-accused in the charge sheet with CBI alleging that Malik routed the bribe money through him and another associate.