The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested Indian Police Service officer Deepak Gahlawat for allegedly accepting a Rs 3 crore bribe to influence an ongoing probe into a fake drug manufacturing racket. Officials stated that Gahlawat, who was serving as a regional director in the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security at the time of the alleged offence, is accused of promising a Puducherry-based businessman a favourable outcome in the agency’s investigation. The senior officer allegedly claimed he could use his personal influence over agency officials to alter the course of the case in return for the substantial financial payout.
Investigation Originates from June Trap Operation
The development follows a targeted CBI trap operation conducted in June, which initially led to the apprehension of Delhi Police Crime Branch Inspector Pradeep Singh and an alleged middleman, Rajkumar. Prior to these actions, the agency had registered a First Information Report against Singh, Rajkumar, and the businessman, identified as N Raja. According to officials, Raja was facing a CBI investigation registered earlier this year regarding the fake drug manufacturing case. Seeking a way out of the legal proceedings, Raja got in touch with Singh, who reportedly assured the businessman that he would be able to directly influence the outcome of the ongoing probe.
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Bribery Negotiations and Financial Transactions
Officials stated that Singh subsequently arranged a critical meeting between Raja and a senior public servant working within the civil aviation sector. During this meeting, the public servant allegedly promised Raja a favourable investigation by exploiting his personal influence over CBI officials. In exchange for this intervention, the public servant demanded a total bribe of Rs 3 crore, stipulating that an upfront payment of Rs 1.5 crore had to be paid immediately. Following the meeting, the businessman managed to arrange Rs 1 crore through a hawala transaction, which was then allegedly delivered to Singh.
Arrests and Financial Trails Exposed
Following the receipt of the illicit funds, Singh reportedly handed over Rs 50 lakh to another middleman, identified as Prabhat, who was known to the suspect public servant. An official stated that Singh kept the remaining Rs 25 lakh inside his office. Authorities moved in on June 8, 2026, apprehending both Rajkumar and Singh. With Gahlawat now formally under arrest, the complex case centres directly on the allegations that a businessman under investigation was promised an engineered CBI probe in exchange for a multi-crore bribe.
