Former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik passes away at 79

Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik passed away in New Delhi on Tuesday at the age of 79. A post on his official X account confirmed his demise. Malik had been undergoing treatment at RML Hospital and died following a prolonged illness.

His mortal remains will be taken to his residence in RK Puram. The cremation is scheduled for Wednesday at Lodhi crematorium.

According to the hospital statement, Malik was admitted to the hospital on May 11 at 12.04 PM with a complicated urinary tract infection. He subsequently developed refractory septic shock secondary to urinary tract infection, hospital-acquired pneumonia and multi-organ dysfunction.

“Despite all appropriate and aggressive medical interventions, including multiple antibiotics and cytosorb 2 sessions, including ventilatory support and critical care management, his condition continued to deteriorate,” it said.

“He also developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and acute kidney injury on chronic kidney disease, needing multiple hemodialysis sessions. Malik sadly passed away on August 5, 2025 at 1:12 pm,” the statement said.

Malik, a seasoned politician with a career spanning over five decades, began his journey in the 1970s as an MLA from Baghpat in western Uttar Pradesh. He was first elected on a Bharatiya Kranti Dal ticket, the party led by Chaudhary Charan Singh. In 1980, he entered the Rajya Sabha as a member of the Lok Dal but switched to the Congress in 1984, which nominated him to the Upper House again in 1986.

Known for his frequent shifts in political affiliation, Malik’s career was marked by both mobility and controversy. He served as the Governor of Goa and Meghalaya, but his most high-profile tenure came in Jammu and Kashmir. Appointed in 2018, his governorship coincided with the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, after which he was moved out of the Union Territory.

Even after stepping down from formal office, Malik remained an outspoken figure. He repeatedly made headlines for his sharp criticism of the Narendra Modi government, including explosive allegations related to corruption and the 2019 Pulwama terror attack in interviews to the media.

Despite advancing age, Malik was seen in recent years as attempting to mobilise support among Jats and farmers, hinting at lingering political ambitions.