Former J&K Governor Satyapal Malik Dies at 79 After Prolonged Illness

New Delhi, August 5, 2025 — Chaudhary Satyapal Malik, the former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, passed away at the age of 79 after battling a prolonged illness. He died at approximately 1:10 PM at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Delhi, where he had been receiving critical care since May 11.

Malik had faced severe health complications, including diabetic kidney disease, systemic infections, morbid obesity, and respiratory issues. His condition deteriorated over the weeks with developments such as septic shock, multi-organ dysfunction, and repeated hemodialysis sessions, but despite intensive treatments, he could not recover.

Born in July 1946 in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, he earned his B.Sc. and LL.B from Meerut University and rose through student politics to serve in various parties—Bharatiya Kranti Dal, Congress, Janata Dal, Samajwadi Party, and finally BJP. He held MP seats in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha and served as Union Minister of State during the VP Singh government.

Malik held gubernatorial positions across several states: Bihar (2017–18), Odisha (additional charge), Jammu & Kashmir (Aug 2018 – Oct 2019), Goa, and Meghalaya (until Oct 2022). His tenure in J&K coincided with the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state—a historic and controversial period in Indian constitutional history.

Towards the end of his life, his outspoken criticism of the central government, particularly on issues such as the Pulwama terror attack and farmers’ protests, brought him into the political spotlight once again. In May 2025, he was chargesheeted by the CBI in connection with alleged irregularities in the ₹2,200‑crore Kiru Hydroelectric Project. The chargesheet was filed just hours before his passing.