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DGCA senior official in corruption, criminal conspiracy case
The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against Captain Anil Gill, former Director of Flying Training at the DGCA, and several aviation-related companies. The FIR alleges abuse of official position, undue favours to flying training organisations, and suspicious aircraft transactions involving companies linked to Gill's relatives.
CBI registers case against former DGCA official and companies
The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against Captain Anil Gill, former Director of Flying Training at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and several aviation-related companies, according to officials. The case, registered on August 21, involves allegations of corruption, criminal conspiracy, and abuse of official position.
The FIR, filed under Sections 11 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018, and Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code, alleges that Gill extended undue official favours to select flying training organisations, causing detriment and pecuniary loss to similarly placed operators. It also claims he facilitated the procurement of training aircraft at nominal prices through shell entities managed by close relatives, which were then leased to favoured organisations at higher rates, generating illicit financial benefits.
Details of the FIR
The case stems from a complaint received by the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch in Delhi on August 17, which was based on a preliminary inquiry registered on April 7, 2025. The complaint was lodged by Captain J.S. Dhillon, managing director of Global Avianautics Ltd. The FIR alleges that the probe uncovered a "systematic network of corporate entities" controlled by Gill's family members.
According to the FIR, Bluethroat Aero Global Pvt Ltd (BAGPL) was incorporated in 2016 with Gill's mother and maternal aunt as directors; his cousin and sister-in-law joined later. Two other companies, Sabres Corporate Solutions Pvt Ltd and Sandhills Aviation IFSC Pvt Ltd, were also allegedly incorporated with Gill's relatives as directors.
The case has been registered against Gill, BAGPL, Redbird Aviation Academy Pvt Ltd, Sabres Corporate Solutions, Sandhills Aviation IFSC, and unidentified public servants and private individuals.
Allegations of financial irregularities
The FIR states that BAGPL acquired two Cessna aircraft for ₹10 lakh and ₹37.5 lakh respectively, and both were subsequently leased to Redbird Aviation Academy Pvt Ltd under approvals allegedly granted by Gill in his official capacity. Between 2021 and October 2023, BAGPL allegedly generated more than ₹2.16 crore in lease rentals from Redbird alone.
The FIR also alleges regulatory favouritism: Redbird received its initial Flying Training Organisation (FTO) approval within one month and three days, while competing entities allegedly had to wait four to six months for similar approvals. It further claims that Gill approved Redbird's training and procedure manual before its official acceptance date, while another applicant's request was kept pending without reasons.
Background
Captain Gill served for nearly eight years at the DGCA, according to reports. He was transferred to the Aero sports division on November 24, 2023, and suspended following a preliminary investigation. The complaint against him included allegations that he coerced pilots and flying schools to pay bribes.
Framing: Headline emphasizes CBI action against former DGCA official and aviation firms, without mentioning Gill by name in headline — Neutral but critical, focusing on legal and procedural details
Facts Included:
CBI registered case against former DGCA official and several aviation-related companies
FIR alleged abuse of official position and undue favours to flying training organisations
Bluethroat Aero Global Pvt. Ltd incorporated in 2016 with Gill's mother and maternal aunt as directors
Sabres Corporate Solutions and Sandhills Aviation IFSC also allegedly incorporated with relatives as directors
Case registered on Friday against Gill, Bluethroat Aero Global, Redbird Aviation Academy, Sabres Corporate Solutions, Sandhills Aviation IFSC and unnamed public servants/private individuals
Complaint received by CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch in Delhi on August 17
Preliminary inquiry registered on April 7, 2025 following complaint by Captain J.S. Dhillon of Global Avianautics Ltd
Approval under Section 17A of PC Act obtained
Gill extended undue official favours causing financial loss to similarly placed operators
Purchase of aircraft through benami/shell entities and lease at exorbitant rates
Cessna aircraft bought for 10 lakh in 2020 and another for 37.5 lakh in 2021 - second had 123 engine hours, market value 75 lakh to 1 crore
Both aircraft leased to Redbird Aviation Academy
More than 2.16 crore lease rentals earned from Redbird between 2021 to October 2023
Regulatory favouritism: Redbird got approval in 1 month 3 days whereas Skynex Aero and Jet Serve Aviation waited 4-6 months
Redbird's manual approved before acceptance, GATI's application pending without reasons
Gill chaired selection committee in September 2022 that appointed cousin Vikas Nain as deputy chief flying instructor, later employed by Redbird at about 6.5 lakh monthly
Suspicious transactions involving Sabres and Sandhills financing and mortgaging aircraft
Bank statements showed transactions between Bluethroat and Gill's family
Failure to disclose involvement of relatives violating DoPT conduct rules
Offences under sections 11 and 12 of PC Act and criminal conspiracy
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimThe CBI registered a case against Captain Anil Gill, former Director of Flying Training at DGCA, and several companies and individuals.
ClaimThe CBI FIR was registered on August 21 under Sections 11 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018, and Section 120B of the IPC.
ClaimBluethroat Aero Global Pvt Ltd (BAGPL) was incorporated in 2016 with Gill's mother and maternal aunt as directors, while his cousin and sister-in-law joined later.
ClaimGill allegedly extended undue official favours to select flying training organisations, causing detriment and pecuniary loss to similarly placed operators.
ClaimGill allegedly facilitated procurement of training aircraft at nominal prices through benami/shell entities managed by close relatives and leased them to favoured FTOs at higher rates, generating illicit benefits.
ClaimRedbird Aviation Academy received initial FTO approval within one month and three days, while approvals for competing entities Skynex Aero and Jet Serve Aviation took four to six months.
ClaimGill approved Redbird's training and procedure manual before its official acceptance date, while GATI's application was kept pending without reasons.