The CBI has arrested Lt Col Deepak Kumar Sharma. He is an officer in the Department of Defence Production under the Ministry of Defence. They also arrested a private individual. This is in connection with an alleged bribery racket involving defence firms. Raids recover over ₹2.3 crore in cash as agency probes alleged kickbacks from defence companies in exchange for official favours.
Arrest and case details
The case was registered on December 19, 2025. This occurred following specific intelligence inputs. These inputs concerned alleged corrupt practices linked to defence procurement and exports. The agency booked Lt Col Deepak Kumar Sharma. He is the Deputy Planning Officer in the International Cooperation and Exports division of the Department of Defence Production. A private person identified as Vinod Kumar was also booked.
According to the First Information Report, Sharma was allegedly accepting bribes from private companies. These companies dealt in defence products. He accepted bribes in exchange for extending undue official favours. Vinod Kumar acted as a conduit. He delivered a ₹3 lakh bribe from a Bengaluru-based defence firm to Sharma on December 18, 2025.
Also read: Gurnam Singh Arrested for Duping 5 crore Investors Amounting to ₹49,000 crore
Alleged conspiracy and role of firms
The CBI has alleged that Sharma “habitually indulges in corrupt and illegal activities.” He is in criminal conspiracy with representatives of multiple private companies. These firms are engaged in manufacturing and exporting defence products. Investigators say these firms sought favours from various government departments and ministries through Sharma. They sought help in securing clearances. They also aimed for other benefits by illegal means.
Officers familiar with the probe have indicated the involvement of a Dubai-based defence company. The company’s India operations were reportedly managed out of Bengaluru. Rajiv Yadav and Ravjit Singh are two individuals associated with the company. They were in regular contact with Sharma. Their aim was to secure advantages for their firm.
Searches and cash seizure
Following the arrests, CBI teams carried out searches at multiple locations linked to Sharma and his associates. These locations included premises in Delhi, Sri Ganganagar, Bengaluru, and Jammu. During these operations, the agency recovered ₹2.23 crore in cash from Sharma’s Delhi residence. They also found the ₹3 lakh alleged bribe amount there. Additionally, ₹10 lakh was recovered from the residence of his wife, Colonel Kajal Bali, in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan.
Investigators also seized documents and digital records suspected to be linked to transactions between the accused officer and private companies. These materials are being scrutinised to trace money flows and identify any additional beneficiaries of the alleged bribery network.
Proceedings in court
Both Lt Col Deepak Kumar Sharma and Vinod Kumar were produced before a Special CBI Court after their arrest. The court remanded them to CBI custody until December 23, 2025, to enable further interrogation and recovery of evidence.
The agency has indicated that more arrests are possible as the investigation progresses. They will examine the role of other company representatives and intermediaries. The case is closely followed by defence and security circles. It has significant implications for transparency in defence procurement and exports.
For all latest updates Follow theviralmail on X, Facebook, and Instagram
