CBI Arrests DGCA Deputy Director General in Bribery Investigation

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has detained a senior official from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) along with a corporate executive in connection with an alleged bribery case concerning drone import approvals. The individuals apprehended were identified as Mudavath Devula, Deputy Director General of the Airworthiness Directorate at the DGCA in New Delhi, and Bharat Mathur, Senior Vice President of Reliance Industries Limited and Asteria Aerospace Limited.

This operation was initiated following allegations that Mudavath Devula had solicited bribes from private entities to expedite the clearance of applications for drone imports. The CBI stated that the case was officially registered on April 18, 2026, after information was received that the DGCA official demanded an improper advantage in return for processing applications pending with the regulatory body.

During an operation carried out on April 19, 2026, investigators arrested both individuals and successfully recovered the bribe amounting to Rs 2.5 lakh, approximately £3,000. In a subsequent investigation, the CBI conducted searches at four locations linked to the accused. This led to the discovery of additional assets, including cash amounting to Rs 37 lakh, which is roughly £45,000, along with gold and silver coins and various digital devices.

The CBI, in an official statement, confirmed that its operatives seized the entire bribe sum and are continuing their inquiries into the affair. This incident is part of a larger initiative by Indian authorities to combat corruption within regulatory bodies, particularly in sectors where significant regulatory oversight is essential, such as aviation and aviation-related technology.

The DGCA, responsible for ensuring the safety and efficiency of the civil aviation sector in India, has not yet made an official comment regarding the arrests. The investigation highlights the ongoing challenges related to corruption within governmental agencies and the importance of maintaining integrity in the regulatory framework governing the aviation sector in India.