TNI Bureau: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Lieutenant Colonel Deepak Kumar Sharma and Vinod Kumar in connection with an alleged bribery and corruption case linked to the Department of Defence Production under the Ministry of Defence.

The arrests came after the CBI registered a case based on credible inputs about corrupt practices involving defence officials and private companies. According to the agency, Lt Col Sharma allegedly demanded and accepted bribes in return for providing undue favours to firms engaged in defence manufacturing and export activities.

CBI officials said Sharma was caught accepting a bribe of ₹3 lakh from a Bengaluru-based company. The company’s Indian operations were reportedly handled by Rajiv Yadav and Ravjit Singh, who were allegedly in frequent contact with Sharma to obtain advantages through illegal means. Vinod Kumar is accused of delivering the bribe amount to Sharma on December 18, 2025, on behalf of the company.

During searches conducted at multiple locations, including Sharma’s residence in Delhi, the CBI recovered cash amounting to ₹2.23 crore, apart from the ₹3 lakh bribe money. An additional ₹10 lakh was seized from the residence of Sharma’s wife, Colonel Kajal Bali, in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. Searches were also carried out at premises in Bengaluru, Jammu, and at Sharma’s office in New Delhi.

In a statement, the CBI alleged that Sharma habitually engaged in corrupt activities and was part of a wider criminal conspiracy involving his wife and other associates. The agency said the conspiracy also involved representatives of several private companies operating in the defence manufacturing and export sector, including alleged links to a Dubai-based firm.

The CBI spokesperson said Yadav and Singh were in constant touch with Sharma and, in collusion with him, sought undue favours from various government departments and ministries through illegal means.

Both Deepak Kumar Sharma and Vinod Kumar were produced before a Special CBI court, which remanded them to CBI custody until December 23, 2025.

The agency said that incriminating documents, cash, and other materials seized during the searches are being examined. The investigation, focusing on alleged corruption in defence procurement and exports, is ongoing, and further developments are expected in the coming days.