CBI Arrests Lieutenant Colonel in Defence Department Over Bribery Case; ₹2.36 Crore Seized
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended Lieutenant Colonel Deepak Kumar Sharma on Saturday, who is affiliated with the Department of Defence Production. This arrest is linked to an alleged case of bribery and corruption, according to official sources.
The CBI reported that Lt Col Sharma was detained for purportedly accepting a bribe amounting to ₹3 lakh from a private company based in Bengaluru. The case was initiated by the agency on December 19, 2025, following credible information about Sharma's involvement. At the time, Sharma held the position of Deputy Planning Officer (International Cooperation & Exports) in the Department of Defence Production.
The first information report (FIR) also implicates his wife, Colonel Kajal Bali, who is the Commanding Officer of the 16 Infantry Division Ordnance Unit (DOU) at Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, along with other private parties and a company based in Dubai. They are accused of engaging in a criminal conspiracy and bribery.
The CBI's official statement accuses Lt Col Sharma of frequently participating in corrupt and illicit activities. The allegations suggest he collaborated with representatives from private defense manufacturing and export companies to gain undue benefits and kickbacks in return for offering illicit favors in defense procurement and export clearances.
Reports from the agency indicated that a bribe transaction was detected involving a Bengaluru-based firm managed by Rajiv Yadav and Ravjit Singh. It is alleged that Vinod Kumar, acting on behalf of this company, handed over ₹3 lakh as a bribe to Lt Col Sharma on December 18, 2025. Vinod Kumar has also been detained in connection with this case.
During raids at the homes of the implicated officers, the CBI confiscated ₹2.36 crore in cash. This sum includes ₹2.23 crore and the ₹3 lakh bribe found at Lt Col Sharma's residence in Delhi, as well as ₹10 lakh from his wife's residence in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan.
Both Lt Col Deepak Kumar Sharma and Vinod Kumar appeared before a Special CBI Court in New Delhi, which ordered them into CBI custody until December 23, 2025.
The CBI indicated that the investigation is ongoing to fully uncover the alleged corruption network and identify any other potential beneficiaries involved.
