CBI arrests Army Colonel in Rs 50 lakh bribery case
Colonel Himanshu Bali of the Indian Army’s Army Ordnance Corps (AOC), Eastern Command, Fort William, Kolkata, has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with an alleged Rs 50 lakh bribery scandal involving the manipulation of procurement tenders, approval of substandard samples, and clearance of inflated bills for a Kanpur-based private defence supplier.
The case highlights alleged deep-rooted irregularities in defence procurement under the Eastern Command. This command supplies weapons, ammunition, and ordnance to the eastern sector forces. Colonel Bali was taken into custody in Kolkata on Tuesday (May 19/20, 2026). He was brought to Delhi for further interrogation. A Delhi court remanded him to CBI custody till May 25.
The CBI’s FIR, registered on or around May 18, 2026, references the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10, as amended in 2018) and sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for criminal conspiracy.
The FIR alleges that Colonel Bali colluded with private contractors. He allegedly manipulated the competitive bidding process to award tenders to a specific firm. He also approved substandard material and cleared pending and inflated bills. These actions could result in financial losses to the exchequer. The beneficiary is M/S Eastern Global Limited (Eastern Global Ltd.), a Kanpur-based defence supplier. The company and its proprietors are accused of bribing to win tenders from the Eastern Command. The FIR states that the firm has supplied various defence establishments across India for a long time.
The CBI investigation began after receiving information from a source. Investigators traced events from March to April 2026. In March, regular communications took place between Colonel Bali and contractors. In April, after these interactions, a major tender was allegedly awarded to Eastern Global Limited in return for bribes.
According to the probe, Colonel Bali and Akshat Agrawal (the firm’s operator) met after hours at Park Street in Kolkata in April. This meeting happened before the tender was awarded. They allegedly finalised illicit terms for the tender at this meeting.
On April 24, 2026, just two days after the Park Street meeting, the tender was awarded to Eastern Global Limited, allegedly due to the “undue favours” extended by Colonel Bali.
Colonel Bali contacted Akshat Agrawal to demand the promised Rs 50 lakh and directed that delivery be made to the Delhi-NCR.
When Agrawal cited cash issues, Bali instructed Ashutosh Shukla (Agrawal’s associate and driver in Delhi) to deliver it to middleman Naresh Pal. Arrangements were made to route Rs 50 lakh via illegal hawala through Delhi’s Chandni Chowk. Ashutosh Shukla was assigned to deliver it to Naresh Pal.
The CBI acted swiftly on this intelligence, registering the case and making the arrest. Accused include Colonel Himanshu Bali (arrested), Akshat Agrawal (operator, M/S Eastern Global Limited, Kanpur), Mayank Agrawal (his father, Kanpur), Ashutosh Shukla (Delhi-based driver/associate), and Naresh Pal (Delhi resident). They are alleged intermediaries in the delivery of bribes. The FIR also names other unknown individuals.
Investigators are probing whether other senior officers were involved in the procurement irregularities. The CBI calls the case a serious cognizable offence involving compromised supplies and inflated costs.
Colonel Bali remains in CBI custody in Delhi. Deputy Superintendent Sunil Kumar leads the probe. Further searches and seizures are expected as the investigation continues.
This arrest marks a key step in the fight against corruption in defence procurement. Defence sources have not issued a statement. The case is expected to prompt a wider review of the Army Ordnance Corps’ tender processes.
