The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested Munition India Limited executive director Anil Kumar, SMT&P Limited chief executive officer Ashish Kansal and Kumar’s brother B. Harshavardhan in a case involving alleged bribery and the suspected leakage of sensitive defence-production information. A special CBI court in Pune has remanded all three to police custody until October 19.
Special judge R. R. Mendhe passed the custody order after the accused were produced before the court. The CBI has alleged that the case is linked to a proposed ammunition supply contract worth around ₹500 crore and is investigating the role of private contractors and suppliers in the alleged transactions.
The agency registered a case on October 12 and conducted searches the following day at locations in Pune, Mysuru, Bengaluru and Delhi. The searches included Kumar’s residence and other premises linked to the case. The CBI said its Pune operation resulted in the seizure of ₹1.73 crore in cash, while a further ₹50 lakh and documents described as suspicious were seized during searches in Mysuru, Bengaluru and Delhi.
According to the report, the agency is examining the source of the cash, its possible connection with the ammunition contract and the financial transactions allegedly associated with the bribery case. The investigation is also looking into whether Kumar, while serving as executive director of Munition India Limited, accepted bribes in alleged collusion with private contractors and suppliers.
Kansal has been identified as the chief executive officer and director of SMT&P Limited, a company associated with drone technology and ammunition manufacturing. The CBI’s investigation has found that the company had dealings with Munition India Limited in connection with the approximately ₹500-crore ammunition supply agreement, according to the report.
The agency is examining the contract-related transactions, the official decision-making process and the alleged exchange of money. The prosecution sought custody of all three accused for further investigation, with CBI public prosecutor A. D. Aariker appearing before the court.
The arrests place scrutiny on the controls governing defence procurement and the handling of sensitive production-related information. The court’s order permits investigators to question the accused and examine the seized cash and documents as the inquiry proceeds. The three accused will remain in CBI custody until October 19, when they are expected to be produced before the special court for the next stage of the proceedings.
