The Indian Army has initiated procedures to terminate the commission of Major Sharyf Bhonsle, a Special Forces officer from Pune, who has been absent without authorization since August 2014 and has since been declared a deserter.
Major Bhonsle, a distinguished graduate of the National Defence Academy, was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) in 2009. At the time of his disappearance, he was serving as the Aide-De-Camp to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, a position known for its sensitivity and visibility.
Official documentation indicates that Major Bhonsle had taken annual leave but failed to return to his unit. Investigations revealed that he had traveled to Spain without obtaining necessary clearances from Military Intelligence to attend an international para-jumping festival. The last known activity associated with him was traced to Norway, as detected through his social media accounts. Despite extensive searches and the issuance of an Apprehension Roll to civil authorities in 2016, his whereabouts have remained unknown for over a decade.
On October 27, 2025, the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army) issued a Show Cause Notice, categorizing Major Bhonsle’s prolonged absence as grave misconduct under the Army Act, 1950. The notice, indicating that his continued service was undesirable, was delivered to his family home in Aundh, Pune. He has been granted a 30-day period to respond to the notice; failure to comply will lead to an ex-parte termination of his commission.
This recent development marks a significant milestone in a case that has persisted in military circles since 2014, underscoring the Army’s dedication to upholding discipline and accountability within its ranks.
