CBI arrests Delhi Police inspector in Rs 3 Crore bribery case; DGCA official under scanner

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he Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Delhi Police Crime Branch inspector for allegedly demanding a ₹3 crore bribe to influence an ongoing investigation into a fake drug manufacturing case involving a Puducherry-based businessman.

According to officials, the inspector has been identified as Pradeep Singh. A middleman, Rajkumar, was also arrested in connection with the case after the CBI laid a trap operation.

The CBI recovered approximately ₹24.70 lakh in cash during the arrests, officials said.

The agency has registered an FIR against Pradeep Singh, Rajkumar, and businessman N. Raja, who is under investigation in an earlier case related to alleged fake drug manufacturing.

Officials said the case began when the businessman, facing legal pressure, allegedly approached Singh seeking help to influence the probe. Singh is then believed to have arranged a meeting with a senior public servant in Aerocity.

The public servant, described as a regional director in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is also under scrutiny for his alleged role in promising a “favourable investigation” and facilitating the bribe network.

According to investigators, the accused demanded ₹3 crore to influence the CBI probe, with ₹1.5 crore allegedly required as an advance payment.

Officials further said that around ₹1 crore was arranged through hawala channels, out of which ₹50 lakh was passed on to another middleman, while the remaining amount was retained by the arrested inspector.

The CBI conducted a coordinated trap operation on June 8, following which Pradeep Singh and Rajkumar were apprehended.

Investigators are now examining the wider network of alleged corruption, including the role of the DGCA-linked official and other intermediaries suspected of facilitating the bribery chain.

The probe remains ongoing, and further arrests have not been ruled out.