Army major dismissed from service was suspected to be in touch with Pak agent ‘Aarushi Akash’, shows probe

The major has now filed an application with the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) principal bench in New Delhi seeking copies of the Court of Inquiries and Board of Officers held to investigate the allegations levelled against him.

The officer has sought copies of the inquiries held against him, saying the order of termination passed against him in the exercise of pleasure doctrine by the President is subject to review and in the absence of the documents he cannot prefer any application for review of the same order.

The President, in the exercise of powers conferred by Section 18 of the Army Act 1950 read with Article 310 of the Constitution of India, had ordered the termination of the services of the major in September, and the major’s service had been terminated in October.

11 years of service, sensitive positions

Commissioned in the Regiment of Artillery in December 2012, the officer did his regimental courses and was posted at several units and appointments during his 11-year service with the Army.

The major was posted to a Strategic Forces Unit at a secret location in the first week of March 2021, and attended the ‘Missile Foundation Course’ at Strategic Force Command School.

In March 2022, the Military Intelligence Counter Intelligence Unit of Strategic Forces told the major that he was found to be in contact with a Pakistani intelligence operative named ‘Aarushi Akash’ on Facebook. The intelligence officers then confiscated and seized two mobile phones, a laptop, and a hard drive from the major.

A forensic digital examination of these devices was carried out and he was asked to declare all digital devices, and social media accounts with mobile numbers, usernames and passwords.

Courts of Inquiries

It was initially suspected that the major was in contact with four to five Pakistani intelligence operatives. However, subsequent questioning of the officer showed he was in touch with only one suspected Pakistani operative. On his part, the officer had claimed he was not aware if the contact was the suspected PIO named ‘Aarushi Akash’.

Subsequently, two Courts of Inquiry were convened against the officer. As per the details available, the first convening order of the Court of Inquiry was to establish the “sadistic behaviour and hypersexuality” of the officer. The second order was for an inquiry to investigate his contact with any Pakistani operative and any security lapses.

This inquiry was initiated after a month of the initiation of the first one. Both inquiries were completed by September and October 2022.

During the proceedings of these Courts of Inquiry, the major was suspended in May 2022. On October 2, 2023, he was handed over the President’s order terminating his services and was asked to vacate the Artillery Regiment that he was posted to at that time.