The Indian Army has formally begun the process to terminate the commission of Major Sharyf Bhonsle, a Special Forces officer from Pune who has been absent without authorization since August 2014 and subsequently declared a deserter.
Major Bhonsle, an alumnus 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 held the position of Aide-De-Camp to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, a role that placed him in a sensitive and high-profile assignment.
According to official records, Major Bhonsle proceeded on annual leave but failed to report back to duty. Investigations revealed that he had traveled to Spain without obtaining the required clearance from Military Intelligence to attend an international para-jumping festival. His last known traces were linked to Norway, based on activity detected on his social media accounts. Despite extensive efforts, including the issuance of an Apprehension Roll to civil authorities in 2016, his whereabouts have remained unknown for over a decade.
In a Show Cause Notice issued on October 27, 2025, by the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army), Major Bhonsle’s prolonged absence has been classified as grave misconduct under the provisions of the Army Act, 1950. The notice, which deems his continued retention in service as undesirable, was served at his family residence in Aundh, Pune. He has been granted a 30-day period to respond; failure to do so will result in ex-parte termination of his commission.
This development marks a significant step in resolving a case that has lingered within military circles since 2014, highlighting the Army’s commitment to maintaining discipline and accountability among its personnel.
