The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Deepak Gahlawat in connection with an alleged demand for ₹3-crore bribe to influence the agency’s probe against a Puducherry-based businessman.

Mr. Gahlawat, a 2012-batch officer, was serving as a Regional Director in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) during the check period.

Last month, the agency arrested a Delhi police Crime Branch Inspector Pradeep Singh, along with one Rajkumar, on the charge of facilitating payment of bribe in the same case. It seized ₹24.70 lakh from them.

In the First Information Report (FIR), the CBI has alleged that Mr. Singh, in conspiracy with businessman N. Raja, his associate Rajkumar, and others, had been “facilitating the payment of illegal gratification” to get undue relief in CBI cases

Mr. Raja is as accused in the counterfeit drug manufacturing cases re-registered by the agency on references from the Puducherry government. Mr. Rajkumar acted as an “intermediary” between him and the Inspector. On May 14, 2026, the two met the Inspector at Aerocity near Delhi’s IGI Airport. The CBI suspects that he allegedly escorted them to Mr. Gahlawat’s office located close by.

“During the meeting, the said senior public servant allegedly assured N. Raja @ Valliappan @ Shri Rajasekhar that he could secure favourable relief in the CBI cases through his connections and influence within the CBI,” said the FIR.

Two days later, Mr. Raja allegedly told his wife that the public servant had agreed to help in the CBI cases in return for a ₹3-crore bribe and demanded half the amount in advance.

According to the CBI, the businessman contacted a Chennai-based “hawala” operator to get ₹1 crore transferred to Delhi. The money was to be delivered to the Inspector in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk on June 8. Based on the findings, the agency arrested the two accused and started investigating the role of Mr. Gahlawat in the alleged conspiracy.