The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a senior official from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and a private company executive in connection with a bribery case involving drone import approvals. Mudavath Devula, the Deputy Director General of the Airworthiness Directorate at DGCA headquarters, was taken into custody alongside Bharat Mathur, a senior executive linked to a private firm. The arrests follow allegations that illegal gratification was demanded to process pending applications for drone imports.
Bribery Deal and Planned Exchange Near IIT Delhi
The investigation stems from an FIR detailing interactions that began in March 2026. According to the federal agency, Mathur approached the DGCA official to discuss the status of drone-related applications associated with Asteria Aerospace. During these discussions, the official allegedly inquired about the number of pending files. The FIR claims that an agreement was reached to clear three specific files at a rate of ₹5 lakh per application.
On April 17, Mathur reportedly visited the DGCA office in New Delhi to finalize the arrangements. Investigators allege the official assured him that the approvals would be processed within the day. The accused official is then said to have instructed that the bribe be delivered on the evening of April 18 at a location near the IIT Delhi flyover. CBI teams moved in to arrest both individuals during the operation.
Significant Cash and Asset Recovery in Capital Raids
In the aftermath of the arrests, the CBI conducted extensive searches at four locations across Delhi to uncover further evidence of the alleged corruption. These raids resulted in the seizure of approximately ₹37 lakh in cash along with gold and silver coins. Furthermore, several digital devices were confiscated for forensic examination to determine the extent of the communication between the accused parties.
While the FIR identifies an actual bribe amount of approximately ₹2.5 lakh, investigators are focusing on the discrepancy between this payment and the alleged agreement for ₹5 lakh per file. The CBI suggests that the evidence gathered indicates a larger financial arrangement tied to multiple regulatory clearances. This aspect of the case is currently a central pillar of the ongoing probe as officials seek to determine if this was an isolated incident or part of a recurring pattern.
Regulatory Integrity and Ongoing Forensic Analysis
The Airworthiness Directorate holds a critical position within the DGCA, overseeing aircraft registration and the issuance of essential safety certificates. This case has brought renewed attention to the transparency of India’s civil aviation regulatory framework, which has faced scrutiny over staffing norms and operational oversight in recent years. The potential for corruption within such a sensitive department has raised significant concerns regarding the integrity of the approval process for emerging technologies like drones.
CBI sources indicate that the seized digital devices are expected to provide crucial insights into financial trails and communication patterns. Investigators are currently analyzing banking records to trace the distribution of the alleged payments. The agency has stated that the investigation remains in its early stages and further revelations may emerge as the forensic data is decoded.
