CBI Nabs DGCA Official, Pvt Firm Executive in ₹2.5 Lakh Bribery Case; ₹37 Lakh Cash, Valuables Seized
Moneylife Digital team 20 April 2026
In yet another case exposing alleged corruption in India’s aviation regulatory apparatus, the central bureau of investigation (CBI) has arrested Mudavath Devula, a deputy director general from the airworthiness directorate of the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA), along with  Bharat Mathur, Senior Vice President of a major corporate group. Mathur is also associated with an aerospace company involved in drone imports, for allegedly accepting a ₹2.5 lakh bribe.
 
Acting on a complaint, CBI registered a case on 18 April 2026 against the senior DGCA official and the New Delhi-based company representative. According to the agency’s official statement, the public servant had allegedly sought an 'undue advantage' from private parties in return for clearing approvals and permissions linked to applications pending before the DGCA.
 
“The CBI registered the instant case on allegations that the accused public servant demanded undue advantage in lieu of issuing approvals and permissions,” the agency said, indicating a quid pro quo arrangement tied to regulatory clearances.
 
Both accused were caught in the act, and the entire bribe amount of ₹2.5 lakh was recovered, the agency added.
 
 
Subsequently, CBI carried out searches at four locations in Delhi associated with the accused and other linked individuals. These searches yielded cash amounting to ₹37 lakh, besides gold and silver coins and multiple digital devices, pointing to potential disproportionate assets and wider links that may come under scrutiny.
 
The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited as the agency probes the extent of the alleged corruption network and possible complicity of others within or outside the regulatory framework.
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