The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a corruption and criminal conspiracy case against former Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Director of Flying Training Captain Anil Gill, along with several aviation companies, private individuals and unidentified public servants. The agency registered the regular case on August 21 following a preliminary enquiry into allegations that Gill abused his official position while heading the DGCA’s Flying Training Directorate. The preliminary enquiry had been initiated on April 7, 2025, on the basis of a complaint against him.
The FIR invokes Sections 11 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018, along with Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with criminal conspiracy.
Favours to flying schools alleged
According to the CBI, Gill allegedly used his position to extend undue official favours to certain Flying Training Organisations (FTOs), while causing financial loss or disadvantage to other operators in similar circumstances.
The investigation centres on regulatory decisions involving flying schools as well as alleged financial arrangements connected with aircraft used for pilot training. The agency is examining whether Gill's position within the regulator was misused to benefit selected private entities.
The FIR alleges that training aircraft were acquired at nominal prices through benami or shell entities purportedly managed by Gill's close relatives. These aircraft were then allegedly leased to favoured flying training organisations at substantially higher rates, generating an illicit financial advantage.
Investigators are also examining the role of the companies and individuals allegedly involved in these transactions and whether regulatory favours were linked to the financial arrangements.
Aircraft deals under scanner
The CBI probe covers aircraft procurement and leasing arrangements as well as approvals involving flying training organisations. The agency is seeking to determine whether Gill influenced official processes to help particular operators and whether private entities linked to him or his relatives benefited financially.
The FIR names Gill along with companies and private individuals, while the role of unidentified public servants is also being investigated.
The allegations relate to Gill's tenure as Director of Flying Training, a position that gave him a significant role in regulatory matters concerning India's flying schools and pilot-training ecosystem.
Allegations surfaced in 2023
Concerns surrounding Gill had emerged publicly in 2023 after allegations were made that he had used his position to seek benefits from flying training organisations. He was subsequently moved out of the Flying Training Directorate to the aerosports division.
The Civil Aviation Ministry suspended Gill in November 2023 after the DGCA sought a probe by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate into allegations against him. At the time, the allegations included claims that flying schools were pressured into providing benefits to companies allegedly linked to him.
The present CBI case follows the subsequent preliminary enquiry launched in April 2025 and marks the transition of the allegations into a formal criminal investigation.
CBI widens investigation
With the registration of the FIR, investigators are expected to scrutinise financial transactions, ownership structures of the companies under examination, aircraft purchases and leases, and the regulatory approvals granted to flying training organisations during the relevant period.
The agency will also examine whether other public servants participated in or facilitated the alleged arrangement.
The accusations in the FIR remain allegations and will have to be established through investigation and, if charges are filed, subsequent judicial proceedings. The CBI has not yet announced any arrests in connection with the case.