Key Points
- Satyapal Malik, former Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, issues a detailed statement denying all corruption allegations in the Karu hydropower project case.
- Malik claims he is being targeted by the central government and CBI for exposing corruption and supporting farmers and wrestlers’ movements.
- He reveals he has been hospitalized for a month with deteriorating kidney health, recently shifted to ICU.
- Malik asserts he cancelled the controversial tender himself after alerting the Prime Minister to corruption.
- Despite decades in public service, Malik says he lives modestly and is under debt, unable to afford private medical care.
New Delhi: Fifteen days after the CBI filed a chargesheet in the high-profile Karu hydropower project corruption case in Jammu and Kashmir, former Lieutenant Governor Satyapal Malik has issued a passionate and lengthy statement on social media, firmly denying all allegations and accusing the central government of orchestrating a campaign to defame him.
Malik’s Health Woes and Urgent Appeal
In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Malik revealed that he has been hospitalized for the past month due to severe kidney problems, with his condition recently deteriorating to the point that he was shifted to the ICU. Despite his health crisis, Malik said he felt compelled to “tell the truth to my countrymen,” regardless of whether he survives this ordeal.
Bribery Allegations and Stand on Integrity
Malik recounted that during his tenure as Lieutenant Governor, he was offered bribes amounting to ₹150 crore twice, but he steadfastly refused, inspired by his mentor and farmers’ leader, the late Chaudhary Charan Singh. He emphasized that his commitment to honesty and public service remained unshaken throughout his career.
Support for Farmers and Wrestlers
Highlighting his advocacy for social causes, Malik noted his active support for the farmers’ movement during his governorship and his solidarity with women wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar and India Gate. He also criticized the government for failing to investigate the deaths of soldiers in the Pulwama attack, an issue he has repeatedly raised.
“False Chargesheet” and Tender Controversy
Malik accused the government of trying to “trap” him with a false chargesheet by leveraging the CBI. He clarified that the tender at the heart of the corruption case was cancelled by him personally after he informed the Prime Minister about suspected irregularities. Malik stated that the tender was later processed after his transfer, with someone else’s signature.
Defiant Message and Plea for Truth
Declaring that he comes from a farmer’s family and will neither be intimidated nor bow down, Malik alleged a concerted effort by the government to tarnish his reputation. He urged authorities to disclose the actual findings of their investigation to the public.
In a poignant conclusion, Malik reflected on his over 50-year-long political career, stating that despite holding high offices, he continues to live in a single-room house and is under debt, unable to afford private hospital treatment.
Satyapal Malik, battling serious health issues in hospital, has issued a forceful denial of corruption charges in the Karu hydropower project case. He accuses the central government of targeting him for his integrity and activism, insists he cancelled the disputed tender, and calls for the truth to be revealed to the public, highlighting his lifelong commitment to honesty and public service.
