Pune: Rs 500-Crore Ammunition Deal Under Scanner as CBI Probes Bribery at Munitions India
Pune, 15th October 2026: A special court handling Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases has remanded Munitions India Limited (MIL) Executive Director Anil Kumar B R, his brother Harshavardhan B R and businessman Ashish Kansal to CBI custody until October 19 in an alleged multi-crore rupee bribery case involving defence contracts.
The CBI has told the court that it needs to question the accused further and investigate the possible involvement of other government employees and an angadia, a traditional courier service provider, who is also an accused in the case.
The agency’s Anti-Corruption Branch registered the case on October 12 over allegations that bribes were demanded and accepted in exchange for official favours to private contractors. During a subsequent search of Anil Kumar’s government accommodation in Yerawada, Pune, investigators seized cash worth ₹1.67 crore.
Kansal, identified by the CBI as the alleged bribe-giver and the chief executive officer of SMPP Limited, was arrested in Delhi on October 13. The agency obtained a transit warrant from the Rouse Avenue court before bringing him to Pune and producing him before the special court.
CBI to examine ammunition quality and defence contracts
Investigators are likely to examine the quality of ammunition supplied, or due to be delivered, under contracts linked to the defence public sector undertaking, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
The scrutiny could also lead to action against the private firm, potentially including its exclusion from future tender processes, the sources said. No such action has been confirmed.
According to the CBI, Kansal was in close contact with Kumar regarding a contract worth ₹500 crore awarded to SMPP Limited for supplying ammunition to MIL over a one-year period. The agency is examining the businessman’s background and the company’s dealings as part of the investigation. Sources also indicated that investigators would look into the firm’s alleged links with Chinese entities in connection with a previous deal.
The CBI is also expected to scrutinise memorandums of understanding (MoUs) cleared by Kumar in recent months, sources said.
Investigators have alleged that Kumar conspired with private contractors and vendors to demand and accept bribes in return for official favours. The allegations also include the purported sharing of confidential information concerning defence production, procurement and other strategically sensitive activities of MIL.
Defence challenges need for custody
During the court hearing, investigating officer Inspector Avinash Gupta and Special Public Prosecutor Abhayraj Arikar sought police custody of the accused, citing the need to establish the roles of other suspected government employees and the co-accused angadia.
The defence, represented by advocates A B Bhujbal and Mayur Mali, opposed the request. The lawyers argued that investigators had already seized the alleged bribe money and relevant documents, making further custody unnecessary.
They also challenged Kansal’s arrest, contending that he had not been served a notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The court remanded the three accused to CBI custody until October 19.
Munitions India Limited is a defence public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence. The allegations against the accused and the company are subject to investigation.
