New Delhi, August 6 – Former Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik, a seasoned politician and vocal public figure, passed away at the age of 79 on Tuesday afternoon at Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, following a prolonged battle with kidney-related ailments. He had been under medical care since May 11, and breathed his last around 1 PM on August 6, 2025.
Ironically, the day also marks the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, a historic decision that reshaped the future of Jammu and Kashmir — a move that occurred during Malik’s tenure as the region’s last Governor.
The Governor Who Oversaw Article 370’s End
Malik served as the Governor of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir from August 2018 to October 2019. It was during his tenure that the Constitutional special status of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked on August 5, 2019, leading to the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Following this landmark decision, Malik was transferred to Goa as Governor, and later appointed the Governor of Meghalaya, where he served until October 2022.
Political Journey Rooted in UP’s Soil
Born on July 24, 1946, in Hisawda village in Baghpat district, Uttar Pradesh, Malik came from a humble Jat farming background. He pursued a B.Sc. and LLB from Meerut University, where his political aspirations first took root as the student union president in 1968–69.
His formal entry into politics began in 1974, when he became a Member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, followed by two terms in the Rajya Sabha (1980–89). He also served as a Lok Sabha MP from Aligarh (1989–91) on a Janata Dal ticket, and briefly held the position of Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism in 1990.
From Party Loyalist to Outspoken Critic
Malik’s political journey was marked by several shifts. Initially aligned with Lok Dal, he later joined the Congress Party in 1984, before resigning due to the Bofors scandal and moving to Janata Dal. In 2004, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and contested elections from Baghpat, though he lost to Ajit Singh.
Once a staunch supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Malik eventually emerged as one of his harshest critics, particularly on issues affecting farmers. In 2022, ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections, Malik openly announced his support for the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and the Samajwadi Party (SP), stating he wished to act as a guide, not a candidate, in their fight for farmer rights.
Kiru Hydroelectric Project Scandal and CBI Probe
After stepping down from gubernatorial duties, Malik found himself entangled in a high-profile corruption investigation involving the ₹2,200 crore Kiru Hydroelectric Project in Jammu & Kashmir. The CBI filed a chargesheet against Malik and seven others, alleging irregularities in awarding civil works contracts.
In February 2024, the CBI conducted extensive raids across eight states, including at Malik’s own residence, searching over 30 locations spanning cities like Delhi, Gurugram, Srinagar, Patna, and Baghpat.
Malik had earlier made sensational claims that he was offered a ₹300 crore bribe to approve two files, one of which was related to the Kiru project. After the CBI’s search, Malik had stated, “I exposed corruption, and now I am being investigated instead of those who tried to bribe me.”
Legacy of a Relentless Voice
Despite holding several key gubernatorial positions — in Bihar, Odisha (additional charge), Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, and Meghalaya — Satyapal Malik is perhaps most remembered for his outspokenness and refusal to toe party lines. His journey from Modi ally to whistleblower set him apart in India’s political landscape.
His tenure as Governor of Jammu and Kashmir during a turning point in India’s constitutional history will remain etched in memory. His later advocacy for farmers’ rights and transparent governance, even at personal cost, reflected a political figure who wasn’t afraid to stand alone.
As the nation reflects on his passing, tributes are pouring in from across political lines. Funeral arrangements are expected to take place in Baghpat, his ancestral village, where people remember him as a grounded leader with unyielding courage.
