Indian military mired in corruption as Lt Col arrested in bribery scandal
New Delhi: Deep-rooted corruption within the Indian military and defence establishment has once again been exposed with the arrest of a senior army officer posted in the Department of Defence Production on charges of bribery and illegal dealings with private companies.
According to Kashmir Media Service, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Lt Col Deepak Kumar Sharma, posted as Deputy Planning Officer (International Cooperation and Exports) in the Department of Defence Production under the Indian Defence Ministry, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 3 lakh from a Bengaluru-based defence company. During raids at his premises, the CBI seized a staggering Rs 2.23 crore in cash.
The CBI has also registered a case against Sharma’s wife, Col Kajal Bali, who is serving as Commanding Officer of the 16 Infantry Division Ordnance Unit in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, highlighting the extent to which corruption has penetrated even senior ranks of the Indian armed forces.
Investigators alleged that Lt Col Sharma habitually indulged in corrupt and illegal activities in criminal conspiracy with representatives of private defence manufacturing and export companies. He reportedly received bribes in exchange for extending undue favours to such companies by misusing his official position.
The agency said it received specific inputs regarding a bribe transaction involving a Bengaluru-based company, whose affairs were being handled by Rajiv Yadav and Ravjit Singh. The CBI stated that both were in regular contact with Sharma and, in connivance with him, sought illegal favours from various government departments and ministries. Acting on the company’s instructions, one Vinod Kumar allegedly delivered Rs 3 lakh in bribe money to Lt Col Sharma on December 18, 2025. Vinod Kumar was also arrested in the case.
During searches, the CBI recovered Rs 2.23 crore in cash along with the bribe amount from Sharma’s Delhi residence, while an additional Rs 10 lakh was seized from his wife’s residence in Sri Ganganagar.
