Weeks after questioning former J&K governor Satya Pal Malik, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting searches at nine locations, including the residence of the former media advisor to Malik, in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Rajasthan in connection with a case of alleged corruption in the Union Territory.
The case pertains to allegations of irregularities in an insurance scheme involving Anil Ambani-led Reliance General Insurance. It was registered after Malik made allegations of attempts to bribe him in the matter.
Last month, CBI had questioned Malik at his residence for around five hours. This was the second time in seven months that Malik, who served as the governor of various states, was quizzed by CBI. Officials, however, clarified that Malik is not an accused or a suspect in the case so far. His statement was recorded in October last year after he concluded his gubernatorial responsibilities in Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Goa, and Meghalaya.
“It is unfortunate that the CBI is harassing the complainant in this case. He (Sunak Bali) was my press advisor/secretary in J&K without any Govt salary,” news agency ANI quoted Malik as saying on Wednesday.
After the recent CBI notice to seek clarifications from him, Malik had told News agency, “The CBI officials called me and asked if I am going to be in Delhi one of these days. I told them I will come to Delhi on April 23. They want to seek some clarification on the schemes, for which I will have to go to their guest house on Akbar Road.”
The CBI wanted to seek some clarifications from me on an insurance scheme issue which I had cancelled during my term as Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. The insurance scheme for government employees had drawn criticism and protest from employees. The scheme for which Rs 8,500 had to be taken from employees (per employee per year) and Rs 20,000 from retired employees (per employee per year) was not rightly planned. It was a wrong move, so I cancelled it,” he had said.
In October 2021, Malik had claimed that he was offered Rs 300 crore in bribes to clear two files including one related to an RSS leader. In March 2022, J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha had said the allegations made by Malik were serious and that the administration had decided to hand over the case to CBI.
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