India’s federal crime fighting agency has arrested a senior aviation regulator and a corporate executive over alleged bribery linked to drone import approvals. The action follows a tip-off that suggested both individuals had agreed on a payment to facilitate regulatory clearances.
According to a statement issued late on Sunday, investigators acted on information that a deal worth 1.5 million rupees had been struck to process three applications related to drone imports. These applications were associated with Asteria Aerospace, a company involved in drone technology and aerial intelligence solutions.
Details Of The Accused And Investigation
Authorities identified the two accused as Mudavath Devula, a deputy director general at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and Bharat Mathur, a senior vice president at Reliance. Both individuals were taken into custody in New Delhi, where officials also recovered 250,000 rupees in cash during the arrests.
Furthermore, investigators carried out additional searches at the residence of the aviation official and other associated locations. These operations led to the seizure of 3.7 million rupees, along with gold and silver coins. The agency stated that the case includes allegations of criminal conspiracy and bribery involving a public servant and a commercial organisation.
Officials said the investigation began after claims that the regulator had demanded an undue advantage in exchange for granting approvals and permissions for pending applications. However, both accused individuals could not be reached for comment as they remain in custody.
Corporate Links And Industry Context
Asteria Aerospace operates as a drone technology company that provides intelligence derived from aerial data and develops customised drone systems. The company has reportedly deployed more than 400 drones across various applications.
It is also a subsidiary of Reliance Industries’ technology arm, Jio Platforms, which is led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani. Meanwhile, Jio Platforms is preparing to seek regulatory approvals for a potential public listing in Mumbai, a move expected to result in one of the largest stock offerings in India’s history.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the aviation regulator, Reliance, and Asteria did not respond to requests for comment.
Broader Implications For Aviation Oversight
The arrests present a challenge for India’s aviation watchdog at a time when it already faces operational strain. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation continues to deal with staffing shortages while supervising a rapidly expanding aviation sector.
In addition, airlines in the country have frequently been found in breach of safety norms, placing further pressure on regulatory oversight. Therefore, the case raises concerns about governance and accountability within key institutions responsible for aviation safety and compliance.
India’s position on global corruption metrics also reflects ongoing challenges. The country ranked 91 on the Corruption Perceptions Index last year, marking a decline from its position a decade earlier.
With inputs from Reuters
