CBI arrests Lt. Col. with Department of Defence Productions on graft charge

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday (December 20, 2025) arrested Lt. Col Deepak Kumar Sharma, a Deputy Planning Officer (International Cooperation and Exports) with the Department of Defence Productions under the Defence Ministry, on graft charge.

Another accused held by the agency is a private person named Vinod Kumar.

On Friday (December 19), the CBI registered a case based on “reliable source information” against Lt. Col. Sharma, his wife, Col. Kajal Bali (Commanding Officer of 16 Infantry Division Ordnance Unit, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan) and others, including a Dubai-based company, on charges of criminal conspiracy and bribery.

It is alleged that Lt. Col. Sharma habitually indulged in corrupt and illegal activities in criminal conspiracy with the representatives of various private companies dealing in defence products manufacturing, export, etc., by obtaining undue advantage/bribe from them in exchange for undue favours.

According to the agency, Rajiv Yadav and Ravjit Singh are looking after the India operations of the accused company and are based in Bengaluru.

“They have been in regular contact with Lt. Col. Deepak Kumar Sharma and are, in connivance with him, pursuing various undue favours by illegal means for their company from various government departments and ministries. One Vinod Kumar delivered a bribe of Rs. 3 lakh, at the behest of the said company, to Lt. Col. Deepak Kumar Sharma on December 18, 2025,” said the CBI.

The agency conducted searches at Sri Ganganagar, Bengaluru, Jammu, and other places, in which Lt. Col. Sharma’s premises were also covered. The CBI recovered the alleged bribe amount and seized ₹2.23 crore in cash from his Delhi house and ₹10 lakh from his house in Sri Ganganagar, in addition to other incriminating material, as alleged.

“Both the accused persons were produced in the court today...they are in police custody remand up to December 23,” the CBI added.