CBI Seizes ₹2.23 Crore Cash From Army Officer’s Home, FIR Filed Against Wife in Bribery Probe

New Delhi:
In a case that has sent shockwaves through India’s defence establishment, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has recovered ₹2.23 crore in cash from the residence of Lieutenant Colonel Deepak Kumar Sharma, an officer posted with the Ministry of Defence. The agency has also named his wife, Colonel Kajal Bali, in the FIR, deepening the gravity of the alleged bribery conspiracy.

The dramatic recovery followed a CBI raid conducted on December 19, 2025, after investigators received specific intelligence inputs pointing to corruption within the defence procurement and planning system. Officials described the operation as one of the most startling seizures in recent years, with investigators reportedly struggling to count the enormous pile of currency notes found inside the officer’s Delhi residence.

Cash Found Scattered Across the House

According to sources familiar with the investigation, CBI officers were stunned by the scene inside the locked rooms of the house. Cupboards and storage spaces reportedly contained more bundles of high-denomination currency notes than personal belongings. Counting machines were brought in, but even those overheated due to prolonged use as officials worked for hours to tally the cash.

The total amount seized from the Delhi location alone was ₹2.23 crore. In addition, ₹10 lakh in cash and several documents were recovered from a related location in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, where Colonel Kajal Bali is currently posted as a Commanding Officer (CO).

Investigators believe the cash accumulation suggests a long-running arrangement rather than a one-time transaction.

Dubai-Based Company Under Scanner

The CBI alleges that Lieutenant Colonel Deepak Sharma, who was serving as Deputy Planning Officer in the Department of Defence Production, was part of a bribery network linked to a Dubai-based private company. The company is suspected of offering illegal gratification in exchange for influence, access, or favourable decisions related to defence matters.

While officials have not yet disclosed the exact nature of the defence-related work involved, investigators are probing whether sensitive or classified information was compromised as part of the alleged deal. This angle has raised serious concerns, given the officer’s position within the defence establishment.

Wife Named as Co-Accused

In a significant development, the CBI has also named Colonel Kajal Bali, the officer’s wife, as an accused in the FIR. She is currently serving in a senior command role in the Indian Army, and investigators are examining her alleged role in facilitating or benefiting from the illicit funds.

Sources indicate that financial transactions, communication records, and seized documents are being analysed to establish the extent of her involvement. The inclusion of two serving officers of colonel rank has intensified scrutiny and embarrassment within defence circles.

Arrests and Police Custody

The CBI has arrested Lieutenant Colonel Deepak Sharma and Vinod Kumar, identified as the alleged bribe-giver. A special court has remanded both accused to police custody until December 23, 2025, allowing investigators additional time to question them and trace the full network behind the operation.

Officials say further arrests are possible as the investigation progresses.

Defence Establishment on Alert

The case has triggered widespread concern within the armed forces and the Ministry of Defence. Senior officials are closely monitoring developments, particularly to determine whether national security interests were compromised.

Legal experts note that cases involving serving defence officers and large cash recoveries often lead to parallel departmental inquiries alongside criminal proceedings. If the allegations are proven, the accused could face severe legal consequences, including dismissal from service and long-term imprisonment.

Investigation Continues

The CBI is now focusing on the Dubai-linked firm, the flow of money, and the decision-making processes allegedly influenced by the bribes. Digital evidence, bank records, and foreign links are expected to play a crucial role in the next phase of the probe.

As investigators dig deeper, the case has come to symbolize a larger concern — when individuals entrusted with national security are accused of corruption, it not only violates the law but also shakes public trust in institutions meant to protect the country.