A bribery investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has brought renewed scrutiny to the country's evolving drone ecosystem, with a focus on Asteria Aerospace, subsidiary of Reliance Industries. The agency has arrested a deputy director general from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and a senior executive linked to Reliance in connection with alleged bribery to secure approvals for drone imports.
According to the CBI's First Information Report (FIR), the accused include DGCA official M Devula and Bharat Mathur, a senior vice-president at Reliance Industries associated with Asteria Aerospace. The agency alleges that the two were caught during the exchange of a bribe amounting to ₹2.5 lakh, part of a larger arrangement where ₹5 lakh per file was allegedly agreed upon to clear pending import applications.
Searches conducted at Devula's premises reportedly led to the recovery of ₹37 lakh in cash, along with gold, silver, and multiple digital devices.
The FIR details that Mathur first approached the DGCA official in March regarding pending approvals for drone imports. A meeting reportedly took place on April 17 at the DGCA office, where assurances were given that approvals would be processed swiftly.
The alleged exchange of money was scheduled for April 18 at a location near IIT Delhi, where both individuals were apprehended.
Both individuals, along with Asteria Aerospace and other unidentified persons, have been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
24/04/2026 Swati Ketkar/Mathrubhumi
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