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Accused in graft case, 2 Army soldiers move special CBI court, seek transfer of case to military court

The application filed by the accused states that as per Section 125 of the Army Act, 1950, when a criminal court and a court martial each have jurisdiction in respect of an offence, it shall be the discretion of the competent military authority to decide before which court the proceedings shall be instituted.

4 min readChandigarhNov 1, 2025 10:52 PM IST

The case dates back to two years when the Chandigarh unit of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) unearthed a corruption racket at the Indian Army’s Bikaner Cantonment Unit-365. (File Photo)

Two Army soldiers accused in a corruption case have approached the Special CBI Court in Chandigarh, seeking transfer of their case from Chandigarh CBI Court to a military court.

The application has been filed by the accused — Naik Sandeep Singh Rajput and Havildar Dev Kumar Verma — stating that Section 125 of the Army Act, 1950, categorically provides that when criminal court and a court martial each have jurisdiction in respect of an offence, it shall be the discretion of the competent military authority (CO) to decide before which court the proceedings shall be instituted. Hence, in the present matter, since the accused was in active service at the time of commission of the alleged offence, it is the exclusive prerogative of the Army authorities to determine whether the trial should proceed before a General Court Martial, and the present proceedings before this court are without jurisdiction.

Further, the applicants submitted that in the instant case, the alleged acts of misconduct/corruption pertains to the period when the accused (applicants) were on active Army duty. Hence, as per statutory mandate, the proper forum for trial of the accused is by court martial (CM) under the Army Act, 1950, and not the present criminal court.

The special CBI Court of Chandigarh has issued a notice to CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) for reply. The matter is now scheduled for hearing on December 3.

The case dates back to two years when the Chandigarh unit of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) unearthed a corruption racket at the Indian Army’s Bikaner Cantonment Unit-365.

As per the CBI chargesheet, the FIR was registered in June 2023 on the basis of source information, against Jatinder Singh Bedi of M K Agencies, in Chandigarh; Uma Shankar Prasad Kushwaha, Integrated Financial Advisor (IFA), South Western Command, Jaipur; Vijay Nama, Junior Translator, PCDA (Principal Controller of Defence Accounts), South Western Command, Jaipur; Rajendra Singh, a proprietor of Tanushree Services; Sandeep Singh Rajput and Dev Kumar Verma, then posted as dealing clerk in account section of Unit 365, Bikaner Cantt Rajasthan; Nand Laal Meena, a senior auditor at PCDA office, Jaipur; and Manoj Kumar Burania, senior auditor in office of LAO, Army, Jaisalmer.

According to the CBI’s findings, the Chandigarh-based firm M K Agency had been awarded a contract to supply and install flap barriers, full-height turnstile gates, and related software and hardware at the Unit 365 of Bikaner. The investigation revealed that Jatinder Singh Bedi of M K Agency, with the assistance of intermediaries, bribed key officials to gain access to confidential tender details, violating norms of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal. This manipulation ultimately secured the Rs 24.77 lakh contract for his firm.

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It has been alleged that Jatinder Singh Bedi of MK Agencies has been obtaining contract for order supplies at Unit 365, Bikaner Cantt, Bikaner, Rajasthan and for obtaining undue favour in award of the said works bypassing the provisions of GeM as well as for payment of bills without objection have been bribing the officials.

The CBI chargesheet alleges that the private contractor, Rajendra Singh, has been approached by accused Army official posted at Unit 365, Bikaner Cantt, Bikaner, Rajasthan, for favourable settlement of a matter relating to a private contractor, J S Bedi of MK Agencies, and Rajendra Singh has been pursuing matters relating to award of work related to Unit 365 at Bikaner.

As per CBI allegations, the accused Army officials posted at Unit 365, Bikaner Cantt, defence accounts officials, had been misusing their official position to ensure in getting the contract/tender in favour of co-accused Jatinder Singh Bedi of M K Agencies, Chandigarh.

After a detailed inquiry, the CBI filed a chargesheet in the Special CBI Court, Chandigarh, naming eight accused, including Army personnel, defence accounts officials, and a Chandigarh-based contractor.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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Central Bureau of Investigation

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