The Chandigarh Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has ordered the suspension of the remaining prison term of former Army personnel Ramandip Attri, who was convicted by a General Court Martial (GCM) in a case involving alleged sharing of sensitive military information with a Pakistan-based intelligence operative in return for money.
A Bench of Justice Sudhir Mittal and Lieutenant General (Retd) Ravendra Pal Singh allowed Attri’s plea and directed his release on bail while his appeal is still pending. In its order dated October 16, the tribunal noted that he had already undergone more than one-third of the four-year sentence and that the appeal was unlikely to be heard soon.
“Thus, in the interest of justice, the remaining sentence of the appellant is suspended during the pendency of the appeal,” the tribunal observed.
Attri had been convicted by the General Court Martial on May 5, 2025, and sentenced to dismissal from service along with four years of rigorous imprisonment. He has challenged the entire court martial process, including the charge sheet, convening order, findings and sentence.
The tribunal admitted his appeal on August 5 and, at that stage, remarked that the trial appeared to be time-barred. “We are prima facie satisfied that the trial is barred by limitation in this case,” the Bench had observed while admitting the appeal.
The case has now been listed for further proceedings on April 9, 2027.
Allegations of Passing Sensitive Documents
According to the prosecution, Attri was attached to an infantry unit when he allegedly came in contact with a Pakistan-based intelligence operative identified as Baba Badhava through his childhood friend Harpal Singh, who is alleged to have worked as an India-based handler.
The prosecution alleged that Attri shared three official documents with Singh, knowing that they would be passed on to the Pakistan-based operative. The documents reportedly included a letter mentioning the date of the Pulwama attacks, a PDF file containing the names of Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and a letter carrying telephone numbers of the Regiment of Artillery Records.
Attri was charged under provisions of the Army Act and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The prosecution alleged that he received Rs 15,000 for the information.
Defence Questions Limitation and Evidence
Attri’s counsel, advocate Rajesh Sehgal, argued that the trial itself was barred by limitation. The defence said the alleged offence took place on January 2, 2021, while the commanding officer became aware of Attri’s alleged role on February 2, 2021.
The defence further submitted that General Court Martial proceedings began only on February 25, 2025, raising questions about whether the case could legally proceed after such a gap under the applicable limitation rules.
Another challenge was aimed at the judicial confession recorded on November 16, 2024. The defence pointed to the alleged lack of copies of the classified documents, direct communication records between Attri and the Pakistan-based operative, and recovery or documentary proof of the alleged payment.
The counsel also highlighted a discrepancy in the amount allegedly involved. While the charge sheet mentioned Rs 15,000, the investigating officer’s testimony reportedly referred to Rs 50,000.
These points form part of Attri’s challenge to the court martial proceedings and conviction. The AFT’s observations at the admission stage and its later order suspending the remaining sentence do not amount to a final decision on the appeal or the allegations.
With the remaining sentence suspended, Attri has been granted bail until the appeal is decided. The matter will next come up before the Armed Forces Tribunal on April 9, 2027.
