Sanjay Kaushik, a New Delhi-based aviation government, has been sentenced to greater than two years in a US federal jail for violating American export management legal guidelines by making an attempt to ship restricted plane elements to Russia. The 58-year-old managing associate of Arezo Aviation, as per the DOJ press launch, obtained a 30-month jail sentence adopted by 36 months of supervised launch.
Prosecutors mentioned the case concerned delicate aviation know-how and a deliberate effort to bypass US nationwide safety laws.
“Those that scheme to bypass U.S. export management legal guidelines—particularly when it includes applied sciences with army purposes—shall be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the regulation,” Assistant Lawyer Basic for Nationwide Safety John A. Eisenberg mentioned.
“The safety of the USA calls for that perpetrators of deceitful schemes like this one are held accountable for his or her actions.”
“This was no lapse in judgment. It was a calculated, profit-driven scheme involving repeated transactions, substantial positive factors, and coordination with international co-conspirators, together with sanctioned Russian entities,” US Lawyer for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford added. “This defendant sought, on a number of events, to undermine safeguards crucial to U.S. nationwide safety and international coverage for his personal private achieve.”
Kaushik was arrested in Miami, Florida, on October 17, 2024, after federal authorities issued a legal criticism and arrest warrant. He remained in custody and later pleaded responsible in October 2025 to conspiring to export aviation components with each civilian and army purposes to Russia.
Based on US officers, the conspiracy started in early September 2023. Kaushik and his associates repeatedly bought plane elements from an Oregon-based provider, falsely claiming the components had been meant to be used by his India-based firm. Investigators mentioned the true vacation spot was Russia, with India supposed for use as a transit level.
One of many key gadgets concerned was an Angle and Heading Reference System (AHRS), a extremely delicate navigation and flight-control gadget. Such gear requires particular authorization from the US Division of Commerce earlier than export to restricted international locations, together with Russia. Prosecutors mentioned Kaushik and his co-conspirators misrepresented the top consumer, claiming the system can be put in in a civilian helicopter operated by his agency.
Federal authorities intervened earlier than the export could possibly be accomplished. A choose blocked the cargo, and the AHRS was finally detained inside the USA.
Kaushik didn’t search launch after his arrest. Whereas he finally obtained a 30-month sentence following his responsible plea, he had initially confronted the opportunity of as much as 20 years in jail and fines of as much as $1 million or extra on every cost.
