The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik and five others in connection with alleged corruption in the Rs 2,200-crore Kiru hydropower project. The chargesheet, submitted to a special court after a three-year probe, names Malik and former officials of Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPPL), including Navin Kumar Choudhary, M S Babu, M K Mittal, and Arun Kumar Mishra, along with construction firm Patel Engineering Limited.

The case concerns alleged irregularities in awarding the civil works contract for the Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project (HEP) in 2019. The CBI had registered the case based on allegations of malpractices in the award of the contract worth approximately Rs 2,200 crore to a private company. It was alleged that guidelines regarding e-tendering were not followed. Specifically, despite a decision in the 47th Board meeting of CVPPPL for re-tendering through e-tendering with reverse auction after cancellation of the ongoing tendering process, this decision was allegedly not implemented, and the tender was ultimately awarded to Patel Engineering Ltd.

Malik, who served as the governor of Jammu and Kashmir between August 2018 and October 2019, had claimed that he was offered a Rs 300-crore bribe for clearing two files, one of which pertained to the Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project. He had stated that he cancelled both deals after being informed by secretaries about a scandal.

In February 2024, the CBI conducted raids at over 30 locations, including premises linked to Malik in Delhi, Gurugram, and Baghpat, in connection with the case. The agency stated that the searches led to the recovery of digital devices, computers, property documents, and "incriminating" documents, in addition to cash of over ₹21 lakhs. Malik, reacting to the raids, alleged that he was being targeted for being critical of the government.

The CBI's investigation has found that Patel Engineering got the contract via inappropriate means, and kickbacks were involved. The FIR also names IAS officer Navin Kumar Choudhary, the then CVPPPL chairman, and M.S. Babu, the then CVPPPL managing director, among others.

Malik has denied any wrongdoing and accused the agency of targeting him instead of those he had named. In a message on 'X' on Thursday, Malik said he was admitted in the hospital and not in a condition to talk to anyone and that he was getting calls from many well-wishers which he was unable to take.