Chandigarh: The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), Chandigarh Bench, has suspended the remaining sentence of a former Army personnel convicted by a General Court Martial (GCM) for allegedly sharing sensitive military information with a Pakistan-based intelligence operative in return for money, observing that his appeal was not likely to be decided in the near future.A Bench of Justice Sudhir Mittal and Lt Gen (retd) Ravendra Pal Singh, while allowing an application filed by Ramandip Attri, directed his release on bail during the pendency of the appeal.Attri was convicted by GCM on May 5, 2025, and sentenced to dismissal from service and four years of rigorous imprisonment. He challenged the entire court martial proceedings, including the chargesheet, convening order, findings and sentence.According to the prosecution, Attri, who was attached with an infantry unit, established contact with a Pakistan-based intelligence operative, identified as Baba Badhava, through a childhood friend, Harpal Singh, who allegedly acted as an India-based handler. Attri was accused of sharing three official documents with Harpal, knowing that these would be passed on to the Pakistan-based operative. These included a letter mentioning the date of the Pulwama attacks, a PDF file containing names of BSF personnel and a letter containing telephone numbers of the Regiment of Artillery Records. He was also accused of receiving Rs 15,000 for sharing the information. He was charged under Army Act and Prevention of Corruption Act.Attri’s counsel, advocate Rajesh Sehgal, challenged the proceedings, arguing that the trial was barred by limitation — the alleged offence took place on Jan 2, 2021, and the commanding officer learnt about Attri’s alleged involvement on Feb 2, 2021, whereas the GCM trial commenced on Feb 25, 2025.The defence also raised objections to the judicial confession recorded on Nov 16, 2024, and questioned the “absence” of copies of the alleged classified documents, direct communication records between Attri and the Pakistan-based operative, and recovery or documentary evidence supporting the alleged bribe. It also pointed to an alleged discrepancy between the Rs 15,000 mentioned in the charge sheet and Rs 50,000 referred to in the investigating officer’s testimony.On Aug 5, while admitting the appeal, the tribunal observed, “We are prima facie satisfied that the trial is barred by limitation in this case.”On Oct 16, the tribunal noted that Attri had been in custody for more than one-third of his sentence and the appeal is not likely to be decided in the near future. “Thus, in the interest of justice, the remaining sentence of the appellant is suspended during the pendency of the appeal,” it said, ordering his release on bail. The appeal proceedings at AFT have been adjourned to April 9, 2027.
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