CBI chargesheets Malik, 7 others

After three years of probe, the central agency submitted its findings in the chargesheet before a special court in Jammu

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

The CBI has filed a chargesheet against former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satyapal Malik and seven others in connection with alleged corruption in the award of ₹2,200-crore civil works for Kiru hydropower project, officials said Thursday.

In its chargesheet, the CBI has named Malik and his two aides Virender Rana and Kanwar Singh Rana, the officials said.

The other persons named in the chargesheet included the then Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Ltd (CVPPPL) managing director M S Babu, its directors Arun Kumar Mishra and M K Mittal, managing director of construction firm Patel Engineering Ltd Rupen Patel and private person Kanwaljeet Singh Duggal, they said.

The agency has invoked Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of Ranbir Penal Code and provisions of J&K Prevention of Corruption Act as the alleged crime took place before abrogation of Article 370 August 5, 2019 when these archaic legal provisions in erstwhile state were replaced by Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act.