CBI books ex-DGCA flying training director, aviation firms for alleged corruption, favouritism
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against a former director of flying training at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and four aviation-related companies over allegations of corruption, favouritism, and suspicious aircraft transactions. The case was filed on Friday, following a complaint received by the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch in Delhi on August 17.
The First Information Report (FIR) names Captain Anil Gill, who served as director of flying training at the DGCA, along with Bluethroat Aero Global Pvt Ltd, Redbird Aviation Academy Pvt Ltd, Sabres Corporate Solutions Pvt Ltd, and Sandhills Aviation IFSC Pvt Ltd. It also lists unidentified public servants and private persons as accused.
The FIR alleges that Captain Gill “abused his official position” in collusion with the directors and shareholders of these companies. It claims he extended undue official favours to select flying training organisations, causing detriment and pecuniary loss to other similarly situated operators. Investigators have described a “systematic network of corporate entities” controlled and managed by Captain Gill's immediate and extended family members.
According to the FIR, Bluethroat Aero Global was incorporated in 2016 with Captain Gill's mother and maternal aunt as directors. His cousin and sister-in-law later joined the company. Two other companies—Sabres Corporate Solutions and Sandhills Aviation IFSC—were also allegedly incorporated with Captain Gill's relatives as directors.
The case stems from a complaint lodged by Captain J.S. Dhillon, managing director of Global Avianautics Ltd, against Captain Gill. The CBI conducted a preliminary inquiry from April 7, 2025, before registering the FIR after obtaining approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The FIR details specific instances of alleged wrongdoing. Bluethroat Aero Global acquired a Cessna aircraft in 2020 for ₹10 lakh and another in 2021 for ₹37.5 lakh. The latter was allegedly purchased at a price significantly lower than its estimated market valuation of ₹75 lakh to ₹1 crore, despite being in fully operational condition with only 123 engine hours. Both aircraft were subsequently leased to Redbird Aviation Academy under approvals granted by Captain Gill.
Between 2021 and October 2023, Bluethroat Aero Global generated more than ₹2.16 crore in lease rentals from Redbird alone, reflecting what the FIR calls “disproportionately high returns on minimal capital investment.”
The FIR also alleges regulatory favouritism and procedural irregularities. It claims that initial approval for Redbird Aviation Academy was granted within one month and three days, excluding time taken to rectify compliance shortfalls, whereas approvals for competing entities such as Skynex Aero and Jet Serve Aviation took four to six months. It further alleges that Captain Gill approved Redbird's training and procedure manual before its official date of acceptance, while an application from competitor GATI for aircraft induction was kept pending without recorded reasons.
The CBI has not yet received a response from Captain Gill or the companies named in the FIR. The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations remain unproven until a court of law determines otherwise.
