The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and a private company representative in connection with a ₹2.5 lakh bribery case. The arrests followed a trap operation where the alleged bribe amount was recovered. Subsequent searches at four locations in Delhi led to the seizure of ₹37 lakh in cash, along with gold and silver coins and multiple digital devices. The case relates to approvals for pending applications.
Key Takeaways: DGCA Bribery Case
- CBI arrested DGCA Deputy Director General and a private company representative
- Case involves alleged bribery of ₹2.5 lakh
- Entire bribe amount recovered during trap operation
- Searches at four Delhi locations led to seizure of ₹37 lakh cash
- Gold, silver coins, and digital devices also seized
- Case registered on April 18, 2026
- Linked to approvals and permissions for pending DGCA applications
- FIR mentions alleged demand of ₹5 lakh per file for three applications
- Investigation into wider nexus is ongoing
CBI Arrests DGCA Official and Private Executive
The Central Bureau of Investigation on Sunday arrested a senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and a representative of a private company in a bribery case involving ₹2.5 lakh. According to an official statement, the accused public servant was serving as Deputy Director General at the Airworthiness Directorate of DGCA headquarters in New Delhi.
Officials said the arrests were made following allegations that the DGCA official demanded undue advantage from private parties in exchange for granting approvals and permissions related to applications pending with the regulator.
Trap Operation Leads to Arrest and Recovery
Acting on the complaint, the agency conducted a trap operation during which both accused were apprehended while allegedly transacting the bribe amount of ₹2.5 lakh. The entire sum was recovered and seized by the investigating agency.
According to officials, the bribe was allegedly sought to facilitate the issuance of approvals linked to applications, including matters related to drone-related operations.
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Searches Across Delhi Yield Cash and Valuables
Following the arrests, the CBI conducted searches at premises linked to the accused and other private individuals at four locations in Delhi.
The searches resulted in the seizure of:
| Item Seized | Details |
| Cash | ₹37 lakh |
| Precious Items | Gold and silver coins |
| Digital Evidence | Multiple devices |
The agency stated that the recovered materials have been taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigation.
FIR Details: Allegations of Corruption and Nexus
According to the FIR registered on April 18, 2026, the case was initiated based on inputs received from a reliable source. The information alleged that the DGCA official was involved in corrupt and illegal activities in connivance with private entities in matters related to approvals and permissions.
The FIR further revealed a sequence of interactions:
- On March 18, Bharat Mathur contacted M Devula to enquire about the status of certain applications related to drone imports of Asteria Aerospace Ltd
- Devula later asked about the number of applications involved
- Mathur confirmed that there were three applications
- It was allegedly agreed that ₹5 lakh per file would be delivered as a bribe for processing approvals
The FIR stated that Devula met Mathur earlier in the week and assured that the work would be completed the same day, with confirmation to follow.
Meeting and Alleged Bribe Delivery Plan
The FIR also mentioned that a source informed the agency that the accused official had instructed the private representative to deliver the illegal gratification at Essex Farms, near IIT Delhi Flyover, by the evening of April 18, 2026.
This information formed the basis for the trap operation conducted by the agency.
Accused and Legal Provisions Invoked
Citing officials, PTI reported that the accused include:
- M Devula, Deputy Director General at the Airworthiness Directorate, DGCA
- Bharat Mathur, associated with an aerospace company involved in drone technology
The investigation also involves Asteria Aerospace Ltd.
Devula, Mathur, and Asteria Aerospace have been booked under:
- Prevention of Corruption Act
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
The major corporate group associated with Mathur has not been named as an accused in the FIR.
CBI Statement and Ongoing Investigation
In its statement, the CBI said the accused public servant demanded undue advantage from private persons in exchange for issuing approvals and permissions for applications pending with the DGCA.
The agency confirmed that:
- The entire ₹2.5 lakh bribe amount was seized
- Searches resulted in recovery of ₹37 lakh cash and valuables
Officials stated that further investigation is underway to ascertain the full extent of the alleged corruption and any wider nexus involving other individuals or entities.
Implications for Regulatory Oversight in Aviation
The case highlights concerns regarding alleged irregularities in the process of granting approvals and permissions within the aviation regulatory framework. The DGCA, as the authority responsible for such approvals, plays a critical role in overseeing aviation-related applications, including those linked to emerging sectors such as drone technology.
The investigation is expected to examine the extent of alleged misconduct and whether similar practices were followed in other cases involving regulatory clearances.
Developments Under Investigation
The agency is continuing its probe to determine:
- The scale of alleged corruption
- Possible involvement of additional individuals
- The nature of approvals granted or pending
Further findings are awaited as the investigation progresses.
Ethics, Accountability and Spiritual Awareness
The case reflects how misuse of authority in exchange for undue advantage raises serious concerns about ethical responsibility in public service. In this context, spiritual awareness is often linked with personal discipline and accountability. According to the teachings of Tatvdarshi Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj, once a person takes Naam Diksha from Him, He gains clarity about the consequences of actions. Such an individual understands that wrongful acts lead to suffering, not only in the present life but also in future births.
This understanding encourages restraint, discouraging misuse of power and promoting actions aligned with public welfare. The teachings emphasise that declining moral values, lack of honesty, and absence of accountability are rooted in the absence of true spiritual knowledge and awareness of divine law. With true Knowledge, a person becomes conscious that every action has consequences. This perspective highlights the importance of seeking guidance under a Tatvdarshi Saint to understand ethical conduct and responsibility in life.
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FAQs on DGCA Bribery Case
1. Who was arrested in the DGCA bribery case?
CBI arrested M Devula, DGCA Deputy Director General, and Bharat Mathur, a private company representative.
2. What was the bribery amount involved?
The case involves an alleged bribe of ₹2.5 lakh, which was fully recovered.
3. What was seized during the searches?
CBI seized ₹37 lakh cash, gold and silver coins, and multiple digital devices.
4. What was the purpose of the alleged bribe?
It was allegedly demanded for approvals and permissions of pending DGCA applications.
5. When was the case registered?
The case was registered on April 18, 2026, based on inputs from a reliable source.
