Drone Bribery Scandal Uncovered: CBI Arrests DGCA Official

The CBI has arrested two individuals, including a senior DGCA official, in a Rs 2.5 lakh bribery case involving drone import approvals. The arrests include Deputy Director General M Devula and Bharat Mathur, linked to Asteria Aerospace Ltd. The investigation follows allegations of corruption for granting approvals.

In a significant crackdown, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested M Devula, Deputy Director General at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and Bharat Mathur from a major corporate entity over their alleged involvement in a Rs 2.5 lakh bribery case linked to drone imports.

The arrests took place during an operation on Saturday, linked to approvals and permissions for a private aerospace company, Asteria Aerospace Ltd. The CBI has cited sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in their charges.

Investigations revealed that a reliable source tipped the CBI about the corrupt practices. It was alleged that Devula demanded bribes for processing applications for drone imports by Asteria Aerospace. Cash, gold, and digital devices were seized during searches conducted at various locations.

(With inputs from agencies.)