Bribery case: CBI arrests IPS officer Deepak Gahlawat

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Deepak Gahlawat in connection with an alleged demand for ₹3 crore bribe to influence the agency’s probe against a Puducherry-based businessman.

Mr. Gahlawat, a 2012 batch officer of Haryana cadre, is currently posted on Central deputation in the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Delhi. The agency has searched multiple premises linked to him and seized digital devices, hard disks, and documents.

In June, the agency arrested a Delhi Police Crime Branch Inspector Pradeep Singh, along with one Rajkumar, on the charge of facilitating payment of bribe in the same case. Subsequently, four others were held. Over ₹1 crore was also seized.

In the First Information Report (FIR), the CBI has alleged that Mr. Singh, in a conspiracy with businessman N. Raja, his associate Rajkumar, and others, had been “facilitating the payment of illegal gratification” to secure undue relief in CBI cases.

Mr. Raja is an accused in counterfeit drug cases re-registered by the agency on references from the Puducherry government. Mr. Rajkumar acted as an “intermediary” between him and the Inspector. On May 14, 2026, the two met the Inspector at Aerocity near Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The CBI suspects that he allegedly escorted them to Mr. Gahlawat’s office, located close by.

“During the meeting, the said senior public servant allegedly assured N. Raja @ Valliappan @ Shri Rajasekhar that he could secure favourable relief in the CBI cases through his connections and influence within the CBI,” the FIR stated.

Two days later, Mr. Raja allegedly told his wife that the public servant had agreed to help in the CBI cases in return for a ₹3 crore bribe, and had demanded half the amount in advance.

According to the CBI, the businessman contacted a Chennai-based ‘hawala’ operator to get ₹1 crore transferred to Delhi. The money was to be delivered to the Inspector in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk on June 8. Based on the findings, the agency arrested the two accused, and began investigating the role of Mr. Gahlawat in the alleged conspiracy.