The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday arrested a Haryana-cadre IPS officer in an alleged bribery case linked to the Puducherry counterfeit medicine racket, marking a significant development in an ongoing multi-layered corruption probe involving police personnel and private individuals.
The arrested officer, identified as Deepak Gahlawat, is currently posted as Regional Director with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). According to CBI sources, the officer was taken into custody after being accused of accepting illegal gratification by promising to use his alleged influence within the agency to secure relief for individuals under investigation.
The CBI stated that the case originated on June 8, when it registered an FIR against a Delhi Police inspector and two private individuals in connection with the counterfeit medicine racket in Puducherry. During the investigation, additional names surfaced, including that of the IPS officer, who allegedly assured accused persons that he could intervene in the case through his “connections” within the agency.
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According to officials, earlier arrests in the case led to the recovery of large sums of cash, including approximately ₹25 lakh as trap money and nearly ₹90 lakh in total recoveries during searches. Investigators also seized documents and digital devices from multiple locations as part of the widening probe into the alleged bribery network.
Sources further claimed that the alleged conspiracy involved a hawala channel used to transfer funds, with one accused Delhi Police inspector reportedly receiving money and passing it on through intermediaries. The FIR also mentions meetings in Delhi, where accused individuals allegedly negotiated with intermediaries linked to senior officials in an attempt to secure relief in the investigation.
The CBI said searches were conducted at several premises linked to the arrested IPS officer, leading to the seizure of electronic devices, hard disks, and other incriminating materials. The agency added that the investigation is still underway and further questioning of suspects and analysis of evidence is continuing as part of the broader probe into the counterfeit medicine network and alleged bribery transactions.
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