The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Army Lieutenant Colonel Deepak Kumar Sharma and Vinod Kumar on Saturday. This is part of an alleged bribery and corruption case connected to the Department of Defence Production under the Ministry of Defence.
The arrests came after the CBI registered a case on December 19, 2025, based on credible information about illegal activities involving government officials and private companies in the defence sector.
CBI arrest Army Lieutenant Colonel in 2.3 crore bribery case
Investigators say Sharma demanded and accepted bribes to give unfair advantages to certain firms involved in defence manufacturing and exports. CBI officials noted that Sharma was caught taking a bribe of Rs 3 lakh from a company based in Bengaluru.
Rajiv Yadav and Ravjit Singh managed the firm’s Indian operations. They allegedly maintained regular contact with Sharma to secure benefits through illegal means.
Accused Vinod Kumar who deliver bribe also arrested
Vinod Kumar is accused of delivering the bribe to Army Lieutenant Colonel on December 18, 2025, at the company’s request. During searches at several locations, including Sharma’s home in Delhi, the CBI found Rs 2.23 crore in cash, in addition to the Rs 3 lakh bribe. They seized another Rs 10 lakh from the home of Sharma’s wife, Colonel Kajal Bali, in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. Searches also took place at sites in Bengaluru and Jammu, as well as at Sharma’s office in New Delhi.
In a statement, the CBI claimed that Sharma regularly engages in corrupt and illegal activities. They suggested he is part of a larger criminal conspiracy involving his wife and other associates. The agency said this conspiracy includes representatives from several private companies involved in defence products, manufacturing, and exports.
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