Documented corruption cases involving politicians, officials and the armed forces in India. Anti-corruption bodies: CBI · Central Vigilance Commission · Lokpal · Enforcement Directorate.
The Supreme Court ruled that coal blocks allocated since 1993 were given out illegally and cancelled 214 of 218 allocations. In 2017 a special CBI court convicted former coal secretary H.C. Gupta in one of the allocation cases.
India scrapped its deal for 12 AgustaWestland helicopters in 2014 over bribery allegations. The CBI arrested former Air Chief S.P. Tyagi in 2016 and charged him in 2017. He was granted bail and denies wrongdoing.
Army jeeps bought in London through the High Commission arrive late and unusable. It becomes independent India's first procurement scandal.
OutcomeParliamentary inquiry; no prosecution
State insurer LIC puts public money into shares of businessman Haridas Mundhra's companies.
OutcomeFinance Minister T.T. Krishnamachari resigns after a judicial inquiry
Set up on the Santhanam Committee's advice to oversee corruption in central government.
OutcomeStill in force
Swedish radio reports kickbacks in India's artillery deal with Bofors. The scandal helps bring down the government in 1989.
OutcomeDelhi High Court quashes charges against key accused in 2005
Hundreds of crores drawn from Bihar's treasury against fake bills for animal feed and medicine.
OutcomeFormer chief minister Lalu Prasad convicted from 2013 onwards
A Tehelka sting films politicians and officials taking cash from reporters posing as arms dealers.
OutcomeFormer BJP president Bangaru Laxman convicted in 2012
Citizens gain a legal right to demand government records, a key tool for exposing corruption.
OutcomeStill in force
A Mumbai tower on defence land, meant for war widows and veterans, is found to house politicians, officials and officers.
OutcomeChief Minister Ashok Chavan resigns in 2010
The auditor questions how coal blocks were handed out without auction.
OutcomeSupreme Court cancels 214 allocations in 2014
Passed after the 2011 anti-corruption movement to create an ombudsman for top officials.
OutcomeFirst Lokpal appointed in 2019
The CBI arrests former Air Chief S.P. Tyagi over bribery allegations in a VVIP helicopter deal.
OutcomeCharged in 2017; trial pending, he denies wrongdoing
Anonymous political donations through electoral bonds are challenged in court.
OutcomeSupreme Court rules the scheme unconstitutional in February 2024
New cases appear here after fact-check, right of response and editorial approval. Have information? Report from India.
Free. Sent only when something is published or corrected.