Former J&K Governor Satyapal Malik passes away

Srinagar, Aug 5: Jammu & Kashmir’s former Governor Satyapal Malik passed away on Tuesday at New Delhi.
79- year old Malik died at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RMLH) in New Delhi after a prolonged illness.
In a statement issued to media, the RMLH said that Malik passed away today at 1:12 PM.
“It is with deep regret that we confirm the demise of Satyapal Malik who had been receiving intensive care at our facility. The patient had a longstanding history of diabetic kidney disease, hypertension, and other chronic health issues including morbid obesity and obstructive sleep apnea,” the hospital said.
Malik was admitted in the hospital on May 11, 2025 with complicated urinary tract infection and 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 two CytoSorb sessions, including ventilator support and critical care management, his condition continued to deteriorate. He also developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and acute kidney injury on chronic kidney disease needing multiple hemodialysis sessions,” the RML said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the demise of Malik. “Saddened by the passing away of Shri Satyapal Malik Ji. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this hour of grief. Om Shanti,” the PM said in a post on X.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also expressed grief over the death. “The passing of Shri Satya Pal Malik Ji, former Governor and member of the 9th Lok Sabha, is extremely sorrowful. I pray to God to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the grieving family and supporters,” Birla said in a post on X.
Malik became MLA from Baghapat assembly seat of Uttar Pradesh in 1974. He was elected to Rajya Sabha in 1980 and 1986 respectively on Lok Dal and Congress tickets.
In 1989 Malik won Lok Sabha polls and also served as Union Minister of state for Tourism and Parliamentary Affairs for a brief period
In 2004 Malik joined BJP. In October 2017, he was appointed as Governor of Bihar. A year later, in August 2018, he was shifted to J&K as Governor.
In November 2018, Malik dissolved J&K Assembly after rival claims were made for forming a government in the then state.
Malik cited reports of “horse trading” and “impossibility of forming a stable government by the coming together of political parties with opposing political ideologies”.“The best course of action is to dissolve the assembly so as to provide stability and security to the state and hold elections at an appropriate time so that a government with a clear mandate is duly formed,” Malik had said.
As Governor of J&K, Malik conducted Panchayat and Municipal polls in 2018.
Malik was Governor of J&K when Union Government abrogated Article 370 and bifurcated J&K into two Union Territories.
Two months after scrapping of J&K’s special status, Malik was shifted to Goa. After his run-ins with the state government there, Malik was shifted to Meghalaya where he served as Governor till October 03, 2022. (KNO)