The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Lt. Col. Deepak Kumar Sharma, Deputy Planning Officer in the Department of Defence Production under the Ministry of Defence, along with a private individual, Vinod Kumar, in connection with a bribery and corruption case.
The case was registered on December 19, 2025, following credible intelligence inputs. Investigators allege that Lt. Col. Sharma was involved in repeated corrupt practices, conspiring with representatives of private defence manufacturing and export firms to secure illegal benefits in exchange for undue favours.
The probe has also named his wife, Col. Kajal Bali, Commanding Officer of the 16 Infantry Division Ordnance Unit in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, along with other individuals and a Dubai-based company. According to the CBI, Rajiv Yadav and Ravjit Singh were handling the Indian operations of the foreign firm from Bengaluru and were in regular contact with Sharma to influence decisions across government departments.
Vinod Kumar allegedly delivered a bribe of ₹3 lakh to Lt. Col. Sharma on December 18, 2025, on behalf of the company.
Search operations are underway at multiple locations, including Sri Ganganagar, Bengaluru, Jammu, and Delhi. During searches at Sharma&rsquo;s Delhi residence, the CBI recovered ₹3 lakh in bribe money and additional cash worth ₹2.23 lakh. Another ₹10 lakh in cash was seized from his residence in Sri Ganganagar, along with incriminating documents and materials. Searches at his official office in New Delhi are still ongoing.
Both accused were produced before a court on December 20, 2025, and have been remanded to police custody until December 23, 2025. Further investigation is in progress.

CBI arrests Lt Col Sharma and aide after cash seizure in defence corruption probe

CBI Arrests MoD Officer in ₹3 Lakh Bribery Case

CBI arrests Lt Col Sharma and aide after cash seizure in defence corruption probe

December 21, 2025 | 15:46 IST