The Indian Army has formally initiated termination proceedings against Major Sharyf Bhonsle, a commissioned officer of the elite 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), who has remained absent without leave since August 2014. The action follows exhaustive verification processes and the issuance of a Show Cause Notice under the provisions of the Army Act, 1950.
Major Bhonsle, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and a resident of Aundh in Pune, Maharashtra, was commissioned into the Indian Army in 2009. At the time of his unauthorised absence, he was serving in a sensitive and prestigious appointment as Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, a Lieutenant General based in Itanagar.
According to official records, Major Bhonsle proceeded on annual leave in mid-2014 but failed to rejoin duty at the designated time. Subsequent investigations by military authorities revealed that he had travelled abroad to participate in a six-day international para-jumping festival in Spain without obtaining the mandatory prior clearance from Military Intelligence, a requirement for all serving officers engaging in overseas activities. His movements were later traced through social media and other intelligence inputs to adventure activities, including base jumping, in the northwest region of Norway. No reports of any casualty or incident involving him were received from the locations visited.
Despite extensive search operations and coordination with civil authorities, Major Bhonsle’s whereabouts have remained unknown for more than a decade. In 2016, the Army issued an Apprehension Roll to facilitate his location and return; however, all efforts proved unsuccessful. He was subsequently declared a deserter in accordance with military regulations.
On 27 October 2025, the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army) issued a formal Show Cause Notice to Major Bhonsle. The notice classified his prolonged unauthorised absence and associated actions as “serious misconduct” and “grave misconduct,” explicitly stating that his continued retention in service was undesirable. The document was served at his family residence in Aundh, Pune, and provided a 30-day window for him to submit a written explanation as to why his commission should not be terminated.
No response was received within the stipulated period or thereafter. Consequently, the Army has proceeded with formal termination proceedings on an ex-parte basis, as mandated under established military procedures. Defence sources have described the step as a routine administrative measure taken after due process to uphold discipline, particularly within specialised units such as the Special Forces.
As of April 2026, the termination process remains active, with no public confirmation of its finalisation. Officials have noted that the extended period of absence also leaves open the possibility that the officer may no longer be alive, although this has not been verified. The case stands as one of the longest instances of unresolved unauthorised absence involving a serving Indian Army officer in recent memory.
No official statements have been issued by Major Bhonsle’s family, nor have any further details emerged regarding his current status. The developments were first reported widely by defence and regional media outlets in mid-February 2026 and have since been corroborated across multiple independent sources.
The Indian Army has emphasised that such proceedings are conducted strictly in accordance with the Army Act, 1950, and relevant regulations to maintain the highest standards of accountability and operational readiness within the force. Any future official updates from the Ministry of Defence or the Integrated Headquarters will take precedence over the existing public record.
