SFIO Deputy Director Remanded to CBI Custody in Rs 1 Crore Bribe Scandal
A Rouse Avenue Court has sent SFIO Deputy Director Harish Tanwar to CBI custody over an alleged Rs 1 crore bribe demand linked to the DHFL scam.
In a significant crackdown on corruption within investigative agencies, the Rouse Avenue Court has remanded Harish Tanwar, a Deputy Director of the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), to three days of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) custody. Tanwar is embroiled in a high-stakes bribery case where he allegedly demanded a massive sum to influence an ongoing investigation.
The Allegations: From Rs 10 Crore to a 'Token' Payment
The case surfaced after a complaint was lodged on October 12, 2026, by Gopal Shivram Delvi. According to the complainant, Harish Tanwar, acting as an investigating officer with the SFIO in Chennai, initially demanded a staggering Rs 10 crore from him. Delvi alleged that he was repeatedly approached by several individuals regarding this demand.
The pressure intensified when Delvi received an official notice from the SFIO directing him to join an investigation in Chennai. He claimed that Tanwar threatened him and pressured him to comply with demands raised by other individuals, namely Akash Gupta, Romi, and Kavita Patil. The complaint further suggested that Tanwar's senior was also involved in the scheme.
As the negotiations progressed, an advocate named Bharat Sharma entered the picture. It is alleged that through Sharma, the bribe amount was eventually negotiated down to Rs 1 crore, with the complainant being asked to provide a "token" payment of Rs 25 lakhs.
The CBI Trap and Arrests
Following a verification of the complaint, the CBI orchestrated a sting operation. In the presence of two independent witnesses, a trap was laid. During this operation, Rs 20 lakh was delivered to Bharat Sharma, though the money was allegedly received on his behalf by another accused, Aryan Sharma.
The investigation has since expanded, leading to several arrests:
- Harish Tanwar: Arrested from Chennai on October 14 and brought to Delhi on transit remand.
- Bharat Sharma: An advocate whose custody was extended by the court by one day.
- Aryan Sharma: Remanded to 14 days of judicial custody on October 14.
The 'Bhaiya' Connection and DHFL Scam
A mysterious element of the case is the mention of an individual referred to as 'Bhaiya'. The accused persons allegedly claimed they were acting on the instructions of this individual. Additionally, the complainant mentioned that another advocate, Shivam Srivastava, had contacted him during the process.
The CBI has revealed that the bribery attempt was allegedly linked to favouring the complainant in an investigation being conducted by the SFIO regarding the DHFL scam. The agency further stated that searches conducted at the premises of the public servant and the advocate yielded incriminating material related to the case.
Court Proceedings and Defense
Special Judge (CBI) Munish Markan granted the three-day custody to allow the CBI to interrogate Tanwar and confront him with co-accused individuals and collected evidence. The Public Prosecutor argued that custodial interrogation is essential to identify other public servants involved and to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy.
However, the defense counsel strongly opposed the remand. They argued that the complaint appeared to have been fabricated by CBI officials and pointed out that the raid took place on the night of October 13, 2026. The defense specifically highlighted that Aryan Sharma is only a 19-year-old B.Com final-year student with no involvement in the alleged crime.