CBI Arrests DGCA Chennai Deputy Director and Aviation Firm Head in ₹2.5 Lakh Aircraft Certification Bribery Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested Sushil Kumar Garg, Deputy Director (Airworthiness) of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Chennai, and Sachin Keshav Bhane, director of Salem-based Ekvi Air Training Organisation Pvt Ltd, on October 5-6, 2026, in an alleged bribery case involving ₹2.5 lakh for aircraft airworthiness certification, officials said. Garg allegedly demanded and accepted ₹2.5 lakh from Bhane in exchange for extending undue favour in the airworthiness certification of aircraft operated by the aviation training company, according to Indian PSU, OrissaPOST, and multiple sources. The CBI received information regarding the alleged demand for illegal gratification, registered an FIR against Garg, Bhane, the company and others, and conducted a raid in Tamil Nadu. Both men were arrested after Garg was allegedly caught accepting the bribe money.

The arrest follows an April 2026 case in which the CBI arrested DGCA Deputy Director General Mudavath Devula and aerospace firm representative Bharat Mathur in a separate ₹2.5 lakh bribery case concerning approvals for drone imports, according to The420.in.

The arrests affect aviation training operators and aircraft operators seeking airworthiness certification from DGCA, as the repeat bribery allegations within the certification process may prompt broader scrutiny of DGCA's internal controls. The CBI is investigating the involvement of other persons and whether the alleged transaction was part of a wider arrangement involving aviation-related regulatory approvals, creating uncertainty about the scope of potential corruption in aviation regulatory clearances.

Sources

Indian PSU, "DGCA Deputy Director Arrested by CBI in Rs 2.5 Lakh Bribery Case," October 5, 2026, indianpsu.com OrissaPOST, "CBI arrests DGCA deputy director for allegedly taking Rs 2.5 lakh bribe," October 6, 2026, orissapost.com The420.in, "DGCA Deputy Director and Air-Training Company Director Arrested in ₹2.5 Lakh Bribery Case," October 6, 2026, the420.in SSBCrack, "CBI Arrests DGCA Deputy Director, Air-Training Firm Director in ₹2.5 Lakh Bribery Case," October 5, 2026, ssbcrack.com Indian Aviation News, "CBI arrests DGCA deputy director, air training firm director in bribery case," October 5, 2026, indianaviationnews.net Latestly, "Chennai Latest News Today on October 7th, 2026: CBI Arrest, Metro Diversions & Health Innovation," October 7, 2026, latestly.com