Web Desk: Big embarrassment for Indian Army as a serving Major on official duty seeked asylum, this is not an isolated incident rather there is a streak of disciplinary violations by Indian Army personnel.
The Indian Army has begun formal dismissal proceedings against Major Sharyf Bhonsle, a Special Forces officer who has been absent without authorisation for more than a decade, officials said.
The Army Headquarters on Oct. 27, 2025, served a show cause notice to Bhonsle under provisions of the Army Act, 1950, citing serious misconduct. Authorities delivered the notice to his residence in Pune and granted him 30 days to respond. Officials said failure to reply would result in termination of his commission.
According to military sources, Bhonsle proceeded on annual leave in August 2014 but did not return to duty. A subsequent probe found that he had traveled to Spain for para-jumping activities without obtaining mandatory clearance from Military Intelligence.
Later, investigators reportedly traced social media activity suggesting he may have been in Norway. However, his exact whereabouts have remained unknown for more than 10 years.
The Army issued an apprehension roll against the officer in 2016 as part of efforts to locate him. Despite those measures, search operations failed to establish contact or confirm his location.
Officials said the latest move marks a significant step in concluding long-pending disciplinary proceedings. The Indian Army maintains that prolonged unauthorised absence constitutes a grave violation of service rules and undermines military discipline.
Authorities said they will proceed in accordance with the law if the officer does not respond within the stipulated period.
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