“The whole country is with you. You have shown great courage in these times of fear, sir. They are cowards, hiding behind CBI. Whenever there was a crisis on this great country, people like you faced it with courage. They are illiterate, corrupt, traitor. They cannot compete with you. You go ahead sir. Proud of you," the Delhi Chief Minister tweeted in Hindi.

“I have exposed the sins of some people by speaking the truth. Maybe that's why the call has come. I am the son of a farmer, I will not panic. I stand by the truth. #CBI," the former Governor had tweeted.

This is the second time in seven months that Malik, who has served as the governor of various states, will be questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The CBI has registered two FIRs in connection with corruption allegations levelled by Malik in the awarding of contracts for a group medical insurance scheme for government employees and civil work worth ₹2,200 crore related to the Kiru hydroelectric power project in Jammu and Kashmir.

Opposition leaders from other parties have also come out in support of Malik after the CBI summons. 

“Since the day Satyapal Malik exposed the corrupt, incompetent and power hungry nature of the Modi government, it was clear that he will be targeted by the PM's lapdog agencies. Modi ji, these agencies are meant to catch actual criminals, not to settle your political scores," tweeted AICC general secretary KC Venugopal.

"After all, PM Modi could not help it. Satyapal Malik ji exposed him before the country. Now CBI has called Malik ji. This was bound to happen," the Congress added.

(With inputs from agencies)