India’s premier investigative agency Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested an official from the country’s aviation regulator along with an executive linked to Reliance Industries in a bribery case connected to drone import approvals.
According to officials, the arrests were made after a tip-off revealed an alleged deal between the regulator official and the company executive. The case revolves around facilitating regulatory clearances for drone imports, raising serious concerns over transparency within the approval process.
The agency stated that the accused had allegedly agreed on a bribe amount of ₹1.5 million (around $16,000) to fast-track three separate applications linked to Asteria Aerospace. These approvals were reportedly critical for importing drone systems into the country.
The development highlights increasing scrutiny around India’s rapidly expanding drone sector, where regulatory compliance plays a crucial role. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to tackling corruption and ensuring fair practices in aviation and emerging technology segments.
