Indian IPS Officer Arrested in Rs 3 Crore Bribery Investigation

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has detained a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Deepak Gahlawat, in relation to a bribery case amounting to Rs 3 crore. Gahlawat was serving on central deputation as the regional director in the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) when the alleged offences took place.

According to officials, Gahlawat is accused of promising a favourable outcome in a CBI investigation into a counterfeit drug manufacturing operation. This assurance was reportedly given to a businessman based in Puducherry in exchange for bribes.

The case emerged from an FIR filed by the CBI, which involved multiple individuals, including Delhi Police Crime Branch Inspector Pradeep Singh and a purported middleman known as Rajkumar. Both were arrested in a CBI sting operation last month, as was businessman N Raja, who was under investigation for his involvement in the fake drug case.

"Search operations at various locations associated with the accused officer have resulted in the seizure of several digital devices, hard disks, and documentation deemed pertinent to the investigation," stated a spokesperson for the CBI.

The preliminary investigation indicated that Gahlawat had solicited a total of Rs 3 crore, initially requesting Rs 1.5 crore upfront. The businessman, facing charges in the counterfeit drug case, allegedly facilitated Rs 1 crore through a hawala transaction, a common method of moving money without bank transfers. This sum was reportedly handed over to Inspector Singh, who then distributed part of the funds to another intermediary known as Prabhat.

The CBI's actions follow an extended investigation into the drug manufacturing allegations, which are part of a broader crackdown on illegal operations in the sector.

Officials confirmed that Gahlawat’s involvement is part of a larger inquiry focusing on systemic corruption within law enforcement agencies, particularly those tasked with investigating serious crimes.

The CBI's ongoing efforts aim to uncover the extent of corruption and restore faith in India's law enforcement institutions.