CBI Books Former DGCA Official, 4 Aviation Firms Over Alleged Corruption and Regulatory Favouritism
New Delhi: Former Director of Flying Training Captain Anil Gill has been named in a CBI corruption case over alleged regulatory favours to select flying training organisations, questionable aircraft deals and financial irregularities.
New Delhi, August 24, 2026: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against former Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Director of Flying Training Captain Anil Gill and four aviation-linked companies over allegations of corruption, regulatory favouritism and criminal conspiracy.
The case was registered by the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch following a preliminary inquiry into complaints concerning the functioning of flying training organisations. The FIR also names unknown government officials and private individuals in connection with the alleged irregularities.
The preliminary inquiry was initiated in April last year after a complaint filed by Captain J S Dhillon, Managing Director of Global Avianautics Ltd. The complaint was reportedly forwarded through the DGCA’s vigilance wing.
Allegations of favouring select flying schools
According to the FIR, Gill allegedly misused his position while serving as Director of Flying Training at the DGCA and worked in collusion with directors and shareholders of certain private aviation companies.
The CBI has alleged that some flying training organisations were given undue regulatory advantages, while similarly placed operators, including Global Avianautics Ltd, were allegedly put at a disadvantage.
The agency’s allegations focus not only on regulatory approvals but also on aircraft purchases, financing and leasing arrangements involving companies allegedly connected to Gill’s relatives.
Aircraft allegedly bought at low prices and leased at higher rates
One of the key allegations concerns two Cessna aircraft that were reportedly purchased by one of the companies and subsequently leased to another aviation entity.
As mentioned in the FIR, a 1975-model Cessna aircraft, VT-EUC, was purchased in 2020 for around ₹10 lakh. Another aircraft, VT-AAY, a 1981 model, was reportedly purchased in 2021 for ₹37.5 lakh.
The CBI has alleged that VT-AAY was bought at a price substantially below its estimated market value, which the agency placed between ₹75 lakh and ₹1 crore. The aircraft was reportedly in operational condition and had only about 123 engine hours at the time.
The agency further alleges that both aircraft were later leased to another company under approvals granted by Gill during his tenure at the DGCA.
Family members allegedly linked to companies
The FIR also raises questions about the ownership and management of companies allegedly connected to Gill’s family.
According to the CBI, one of the companies was incorporated in 2016 and initially had Gill’s mother and maternal aunt listed as directors. His cousin and sister-in-law were allegedly appointed later.
The agency has also pointed to corporate records that allegedly contained Gill’s personal email address. The CBI has cited this as an indication that he may have exercised administrative control over the company, despite not being formally listed as a director.
Two other entities mentioned in the case were allegedly incorporated with Gill’s brother-in-law and other relatives as directors. These companies were reportedly involved in aircraft purchases, financing arrangements and mortgages.
CBI alleges over ₹2.16 crore in lease rentals
The financial transactions surrounding the aircraft are another major part of the CBI’s allegations.
According to the FIR, between 2021 and October 2023, one of the companies allegedly earned more than ₹2.16 crore in lease rentals from another aviation firm.
The CBI has described the returns as disproportionately high compared with the relatively small amount of capital reportedly invested in purchasing the aircraft.
Investigators have alleged that the arrangements resulted in an illicit financial benefit and amounted to serious misconduct while Gill was holding a regulatory position at the DGCA.
Investigation now underway
The case brings scrutiny on the regulatory processes governing flying training organisations and the approval and leasing of training aircraft.
The allegations made in the FIR are part of the CBI’s investigation, and the registration of a case does not by itself establish guilt. The agency is expected to examine the financial transactions, corporate ownership structures, regulatory approvals and the role of the individuals and companies named in the case.
The investigation will determine whether the alleged regulatory favours and financial arrangements were carried out in violation of the law and whether any unlawful benefit was provided to the companies involve
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
