IPS Officer Arrested for Alleged ₹3 Crore Bribe to Manipulate Drug Probe

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in connection with an alleged bribery case involving ₹3 crore. The officer, Deepak Gahlawat, a 2012-batch Haryana-cadre IPS officer, was serving as the regional director of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) at the time of the alleged offence.

The arrest is linked to a CBI investigation into a fake drug manufacturing racket in Puducherry. According to a CBI statement, Gahlawat had demanded illegal gratification, claiming he could use his personal influence to obtain relief for private individuals under investigation by the agency.

The case originates from an FIR registered on June 8 against Delhi Police Crime Branch Inspector Pradeep Singh, alleged middleman Rajkumar, and Puducherry-based businessman N Raja. Raja was under CBI investigation for his alleged involvement in the counterfeit drug racket. He reportedly approached Singh, who assured him he could influence the probe. Singh then arranged a meeting between Raja and Gahlawat.

During the meeting, Gahlawat allegedly demanded ₹3 crore, including an upfront payment of ₹1.5 crore, in exchange for a favourable investigation. The businessman arranged ₹1 crore through a hawala transaction, which was handed over to Singh. Of this, ₹50 lakh was passed to another middleman, Prabhat, known to Gahlawat.

The CBI conducted a trap operation last month, arresting Singh, Rajkumar, and five others. They recovered ₹25 lakh as trap money, an additional ₹90 lakh, and incriminating documents. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the conspiracy.