The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday arrested Lieutenant Colonel Deepak Kumar Sharma, posted in the Department of Defence Production, in connection with an alleged bribery and corruption case, officials said.
According to the CBI, Lt Col Sharma was caught for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹3 lakh from a Bengaluru-based private company. The agency registered the case on December 19, 2025, based on credible source information, against Sharma, who was serving as Deputy Planning Officer (International Cooperation & Exports) in the Department of Defence Production.
The FIR also names his wife Colonel Kajal Bali, Commanding Officer, 16 Infantry Division Ordnance Unit (DOU) at Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, along with other private individuals and a Dubai-based company, on allegations of criminal conspiracy and bribery.
In an official statement, the CBI alleged that Lt Col Sharma “habitually indulged in corrupt and illegal activities”, conspiring with representatives of private companies engaged in defence manufacturing and exports. It is alleged that he obtained undue advantages and bribes in exchange for extending illegal favours related to defence procurement and export clearances.
The agency said it received inputs regarding a bribe transaction involving a Bengaluru-based firm, whose affairs were allegedly managed by Rajiv Yadav and Ravjit Singh. The CBI claimed that Vinod Kumar, acting on behalf of the company, delivered ₹3 lakh as bribe to Lt Col Sharma on December 18, 2025. Vinod Kumar has also been arrested in the case.
During searches conducted at the accused officers’ premises, the CBI seized a total of ₹2.36 crore in cash. This included ₹2.23 crore and the ₹3 lakh bribe amount from Lt Col Sharma’s residence in Delhi, and ₹10 lakh from his wife’s residence in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan.
Both arrested accused—Lt Col Deepak Kumar Sharma and Vinod Kumar—were produced before a Special CBI Court in New Delhi, which remanded them to CBI custody till December 23, 2025.
The CBI said further investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the alleged corruption network and identify other possible beneficiaries.
