Archive · 8 Oct 2026
CBI Arrests DGCA Official, Aviation Director in Airworthiness Bribery Case
The CBI has arrested a government aviation official and the director of an aircraft training company.
The case is about alleged bribes connected to aircraft safety checks.
The CBI says the official may have offered a favourable report without properly inspecting the planes.
It also alleges that some aircraft problems were overlooked.
The FIR says the two men agreed on a payment for each audit.
The official allegedly accepted Rs 2.5 lakh.
The CBI said it planned searches in Mumbai, Salem and Chennai.
The case was registered on October 3.
The CBI arrested Sushil Kumar Garg, a DGCA Deputy Director (Airworthiness), and SK Bhane, director of Ekvi Air Training Organisation.
The case concerns alleged bribes for airworthiness certificates and a favourable audit report.
The CBI says Garg allegedly sought payment while overlooking aircraft deficiencies and without a proper inspection.
The FIR says the men agreed on October 2 to a payment of Rs 50,000 per audit transaction; Garg allegedly accepted Rs 2.5 lakh.
The agency said searches would be conducted in Mumbai, Salem and Chennai; the FIR was registered on October 3.
- Who
- The CBI arrested Sushil Kumar Garg, Deputy Director (Airworthiness) at the DGCA, and SK Bhane, director of Ekvi Air Training Organisation Pvt Ltd.
- What
- A bribery case alleging payments for favourable airworthiness audits and certificates.
- When
- The FIR was registered on October 3; the alleged payment agreement was reached on October 2.
- Where
- The case involves Ekvi Air Training Organisation, based in Kalyan and operating aircraft from Salem Airport; planned searches were in Mumbai, Salem and Chennai.
- Why
- The CBI alleges Garg sought and received bribes for favourable audit findings while overlooking aircraft deficiencies.
- Agency
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Arrested official
- Sushil Kumar Garg, Deputy Director (Airworthiness) at the DGCA
- Other arrested person
- SK Bhane, director of Ekvi Air Training Organisation Pvt Ltd
- FIR date
- October 3
- Agreed alleged rate
- Rs 50,000 per audit transaction
- Alleged amount accepted
- Rs 2.5 lakh
- Planned search locations
- Mumbai, Salem and Chennai
- Company aircraft
- The company operates seven aircraft from its training base at Salem Airport.