The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched a series of raids today in Delhi-NCR, including the residence of Sunak Bali, former private press secretary to ex-Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik. The raids are part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged corruption case involving Reliance Insurance, amounting to Rs 60 crore. Sunak Bali, who served as Governor Malik’s personal associate, was not on the government payroll.
The case revolves around a health insurance scheme that Satya Pal Malik was purportedly coerced into endorsing. During his tenure as the J&K Governor from August 23, 2018, to October 30, 2019, Malik claimed that he was offered a bribe to expedite the clearance of related files.
The CBI initiated an inquiry into the matter last year, which led to the filing of a case and subsequent raids in six states. The investigation centers on allegations of malpractice in awarding a contract for the Employees Health Care Insurance Scheme to Reliance General Insurance Corporation Limited.
According to a CBI source, the written communication received on March 23, 2022, from Dr. Mohammad Usman Khan, JKAS, Deputy Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department, implicated unknown officials of the Finance Department of the Government of J&K. It is alleged that these officials, in collusion with Trinity Reinsurance Brokers Ltd., Reliance General Insurance Company Ltd., and other unidentified public servants, engaged in criminal conspiracy, criminal misconduct, and cheated the Government of J&K by causing wrongful loss to the state exchequer during 2017 and 2018.
Based on a preliminary inquiry, the CBI has registered a case under sections 120-B read with sections 420 of RPC and Section 5(2), Section 5(1)(d) of the J&K PC Act.
The investigation into the matter remains ongoing, and the CBI is expected to provide further updates as more information emerges.
(Inputs from IANS)
The Chenab Times News Desk