Outspoken Former J&K Governor Satyapal Malik, Known for Exposing Corruption and Stirring Controversy, Passes Away at 79
New Delhi, August 5 (TNA) Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik passed away on Tuesday, at the age of 79, after a prolonged illness. Malik died at around 1 pm at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, where he had been undergoing treatment for an extended period due to kidney-related ailments.
Malik had a long and varied political career that spanned more than five decades. He served as Governor in several Indian states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Goa, and Meghalaya.
He was noted for his outspoken views and often remained in public discourse for his critical stance toward the current central government in his later years. Malik began his public life in student politics before representing Uttar Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha and serving as a Lok Sabha member.
He is remembered as an experienced administrator and a leader who made lasting contributions to Indian political life. He was known for being outspoken and was often at the centre of significant controversies throughout his public life.
Malik was also known for his role during significant events, such as the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, while he was the Governor. Here are some of the key controversies involving him:
• Kiru Hydropower Project Corruption Case: Malik was named in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chargesheet involving alleged corruption in the awarding of the Rs 2,200 crore Kiru hydropower project contract in Jammu and Kashmir. Malik himself had claimed he was offered a ₹300 crore bribe to clear files related to the project. He denied any wrongdoing, stating he only exposed corruption and was being targeted for it.
• Allegations of Bribery: Malik publicly alleged that during his tenure as Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, he was offered massive bribes (₹150 crore each) to approve two files—one linked to Ambani (Reliance General Insurance) and another to an RSS-affiliated figure. His statements led to CBI inquiries and multiple graft cases registered about contracts in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Pulwama Attack Statements: Malik made headlines with his controversial remarks criticising the government’s handling of the 2019 Pulwama attack and blaming serious lapses by the central administration. He reiterated these points in media interviews, which sparked political debates.
• Farmers’ Protest Criticism: During the farmers’ protest against the three contentious farm laws, Malik was openly critical of the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He warned of potential backlash and frequently highlighted farmers’ issues in public speeches, putting him at odds with the government.
• Criticism of the Agnipath Scheme and COVID-19 Handling: Malik criticised the Agniveer military recruitment scheme and was vocal against the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Goa government during his tenure as Governor there, again stirring controversy and leading to his transfer.
• J&K Assembly Dissolution: As Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, he dissolved the state assembly in 2018 and later stated publicly that he refused to follow central government advice to invite Sajad Lone to form a government—claiming that would have made him a “dishonest man.” This decision and his openness in discussing it drew significant attention and debate.
These controversies, along with his repeated accusations of corruption at high levels, kept Malik consistently in the spotlight and often at odds with political establishments