In a significant crackdown on corruption within defence circles, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended a serving Lieutenant Colonel from the Ministry of Defence and a private citizen. The arrests are linked to a high-profile bribery case concerning defence manufacturing and international exports.
The Arrests and the Alleged Conspiracy
The CBI took into custody Lt Col Deepak Kumar Sharma, who served as the deputy planning officer for International Cooperation and Exports in the Department of Defence Production. Alongside him, Vinod Kumar, a private individual, was also arrested. The agency had officially registered the case on December 19, acting on prior intelligence inputs about a suspected criminal conspiracy.
The investigation points to the alleged involvement of a Dubai-based company. The firm's Indian operations, based in Bengaluru, were reportedly overseen by individuals named Rajiv Yadav and Ravjit Singh. It is claimed that these representatives colluded with the defence officer to secure illegal favours and undue advantages across various government departments related to defence production.
The Bribe Transaction and Major Cash Recoveries
The enforcement action was triggered after a direct bribe exchange. According to the CBI, Vinod Kumar allegedly delivered a bribe of Rs 3 lakh to Lt Col Sharma on December 18. This payment was said to be made on behalf of the accused Dubai-based company.
Following the arrests, the CBI conducted coordinated raids at multiple locations across the country. These searches took place in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Jammu, and Sri Ganganagar. The raids yielded substantial cash recoveries that have stunned investigators. A massive sum of Rs 2.23 crore was recovered from Sharma's residence in Delhi. Additionally, Rs 10 lakh was seized from a property in Sri Ganganagar.
Court Proceedings and Ongoing Probe
Both accused individuals were promptly presented before a competent court after their arrest. The court has remanded Lt Col Deepak Kumar Sharma and Vinod Kumar to police custody until December 23. This custody will allow the CBI to conduct intensive questioning and further unravel the layers of the alleged conspiracy.
The case has sent shockwaves through the defence establishment, highlighting vulnerabilities in the sensitive domains of international defence cooperation and exports. The probe remains active, with investigators delving deeper into the roles of all named individuals and the extent of the alleged corruption network.
