Corruption in the skies? The CBI struck hard in Delhi, apprehending DGCA’s Deputy Director General Mudavath Devula and private executive Bharat Mathur for bribery. The pair was nabbed while taking Rs 2.5 lakh to fast-track aviation certifications at the Airworthiness Directorate.
Acting on a complaint, CBI filed charges Saturday and set up a sting operation. The accused were trapped in the act, with the tainted cash seized on the spot. Raids across four Delhi sites yielded a treasure trove of illicit assets: over Rs 37 lakh cash, precious metal coins, and gadgets laden with evidence.
Devula, stationed at DGCA’s New Delhi HQ, allegedly pressured private firms for bribes to approve long-pending applications. Mathur, from a city-based company, facilitated the deal. Questioning continues, promising more twists in this high-flying scandal.
This bust highlights vulnerabilities in regulatory bodies overseeing air safety. Aviation experts call for systemic reforms to prevent such malpractices. CBI officials remain tight-lipped but confirm the probe’s scope could widen, targeting accomplices. The nation watches as justice unfolds.
