The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested Munitions India Limited executive director Anil Kumar, defence company CEO Ashish Kansal and Kumar’s brother B Harshavardhan in a bribery case involving alleged official favours and the disclosure of sensitive information related to defence production and procurement.
The arrests were made on October 13, a day after the CBI registered a case against Kumar. The agency said in a press statement that Kumar, while posted as executive director at MIL’s Pune office, allegedly acted in connivance with private contractors and vendors to demand and accept illegal gratification in exchange for extending official favours.
The CBI identified Kansal as the CEO and director of SMPP Ltd, a company involved in drone technology and ammunition manufacturing. The agency’s First Information Report states that Kansal was allegedly in regular contact with Kumar regarding an official contract worth Rs 500 crore awarded to SMPP for supplying ammunition to MIL over one year. The allegations have not been established in court.
The FIR also alleges that sensitive information concerning MIL’s defence production, procurement and other strategically important activities was disclosed. According to the document, such unauthorised disclosure had the potential to compromise strategic and security interests, undermine the integrity of defence-related processes and create risks to national security and public safety.
During searches, the CBI said it recovered Rs 1.73 crore in cash from the Pune premises of the accused public servant. Searches were also conducted at premises in Mysore, Bengaluru and Delhi, where the agency said it recovered an additional Rs 50 lakh in cash and incriminating documents.
The searches and arrests cover an institutional network that extends beyond one public sector office. MIL is a defence public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Defence, with its corporate office in Pune. Its operations include the manufacture, testing, research, development and marketing of ammunition and explosives for the Army, Navy, Air Force and paramilitary forces.
According to information on MIL’s website, the company employs around 25,000 people across 12 manufacturing units in India. Its product portfolio includes small-, medium- and high-calibre ammunition, mortars, rockets and hand grenades. This makes procurement decisions, contractor access and the handling of production-related information matters with direct implications for the functioning of defence manufacturing facilities.
The case therefore concerns not only an alleged cash-for-favour arrangement but also the safeguards governing interactions between a defence public sector enterprise and private suppliers. The CBI’s allegations refer to official contracts, vendors and access to information, while the agency’s statement indicates that the investigation is examining the wider circumstances surrounding the alleged conduct.
The CBI said the investigation is continuing. Further action, including the presentation of evidence before the court and any proceedings against other individuals or entities, will depend on the findings of the ongoing probe.
