The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two individuals, including a senior aviation regulator, in a bribery case linked to approvals for drone imports, highlighting concerns over corruption in sensitive regulatory processes.
Those arrested are Mudavath Devula, who served as Deputy Director General in the Airworthiness Directorate of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and Bharat Mathur, a Senior Vice President associated with a corporate group involved in aerospace and drone imports.
According to the CBI, the case was registered on April 18, 2026, based on allegations that Devula demanded a bribe from private entities in exchange for clearing pending applications and granting regulatory approvals related to drone imports. Such approvals fall under DGCA’s oversight, making the case particularly significant given the increasing role of drones in commercial and strategic sectors.
In a coordinated operation, the agency arrested both accused while allegedly dealing with a ₹2.5 lakh bribe, and recovered the entire amount. The arrests were part of a trap operation, a standard CBI method used in corruption cases to catch officials in the act.
Following the arrests, the CBI conducted searches at four locations in Delhi linked to the accused. These raids led to the recovery of ₹37 lakh in cash, along with gold and silver coins and several digital devices, indicating the possibility of a wider financial trail and potential additional irregularities.
The case points to alleged misuse of official position within a key regulatory body like the DGCA, which is responsible for ensuring aviation safety and compliance in India. Any compromise in such processes—especially in emerging areas like drone imports—raises broader concerns about regulatory integrity and national security implications.
The CBI has stated that further investigation is ongoing, and the evidence seized during the raids, including digital records, is being examined to determine whether more individuals or transactions are involved.
