The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made a significant breakthrough in a high-profile corruption case, arresting an army officer from the Department of Defence Productions. Lt Col Deepak Kumar Sharma and an associate, Vinod Kumar, were taken into custody on Saturday, December 20, 2025, for their alleged involvement in a bribery and criminal conspiracy scandal related to defence clearances.
Details of the Alleged Bribery and Arrests
The agency alleges that Lt Col Sharma conspired with representatives of a Dubai-based company to accept illegal gratifications. According to the CBI's case, which was registered on December 19, 2025, Vinod Kumar delivered a bribe of Rs. 3 lakh to Sharma on behalf of the company on December 18. Following the registration of the case, the CBI swiftly moved to arrest both accused the next day.
Simultaneous searches were conducted at multiple locations across the country, including Delhi, Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, Bengaluru, and Jammu. These raids led to substantial cash recoveries. A search at Sharma's residence in Delhi yielded Rs. 2.23 crore, while another at his wife's residence in Sri Ganganagar uncovered an additional Rs. 10 lakh. Searches at Sharma's office premises in New Delhi were reported to be ongoing at the time of the announcement.
Charges and Wider Conspiracy
The CBI has levelled serious charges against the accused, painting a picture of habitual corruption. Investigators claim Sharma routinely engaged in corrupt practices, acting in connivance with private defence manufacturing and export firms. He is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for providing undue favours and facilitating benefits from various government departments.
The case also names Lt Col Sharma's wife, Col Kajal Bali, who is currently serving as the Commanding Officer of the 16 Infantry Division Ordnance Unit in Sri Ganganagar. Other unidentified individuals and the Dubai-based company are also implicated. The primary allegations include criminal conspiracy, corruption, and acceptance of illegal gratification.
The CBI identified two individuals, Rajiv Yadav and Ravjit Singh, based in Bengaluru, who were handling the Indian operations of the implicated foreign company. The agency alleges they were in regular contact with Lt Col Sharma, coordinating to secure favourable outcomes for their company through illegal means.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
Following their arrest, both Lt Col Deepak Kumar Sharma and Vinod Kumar were produced before a court on Saturday. The court has remanded them to police custody until December 23, 2025. The CBI, in an official press release, stated that the investigation is continuing to unravel the full extent of the conspiracy and identify all involved parties.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of corruption within defence procurement and clearance processes. The seizure of large sums of cash and the involvement of an serving army officer and his spouse, also a senior officer, point to a potentially deep-rooted network. The CBI's actions underscore a firm stance against such malpractices that threaten national security and integrity.
