CBI case against DGCA officer for alleged bribery in audits

The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested Sushil Kumar Garg, Deputy Director (Airworthiness) at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) posted in Chennai, on allegations of accepting bribes. Also arrested was Sachin Keshav Bhane, director of Ekvi Air Training Organisation Private Limited. According to the FIR registered on October 3, Garg allegedly sought Rs 50,000 per audit from Bhane to issue airworthiness certificates for aircraft without ensuring full compliance with prescribed safety requirements.

Ekvi Air Training Organisation, based in Thane, Maharashtra, operates a fleet of seven aircraft with its training base at Salem Airport in Tamil Nadu. The FIR states that Garg conducted an airworthiness audit of the company's aircraft on July 31, allegedly seeking a bribe for a favourable report without properly inspecting the aircraft and overlooking deficiencies. He could not collect the amount on that occasion as he was accompanied by a senior officer. The FIR alleges that Garg and Bhane negotiated on October 2 and settled at Rs 50,000 per audit, with negotiations occurring on September 23 and September 26 about a planned visit in early October 2026.

According to the FIR, Garg told his wife that Bhane had given him a packet containing five bundles of currency notes amounting to Rs 2.5 lakh. The FIR also alleged that Garg had previously received a mobile phone worth approximately Rs 50,000 from Bhane.