Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Army Jawan Sentenced to 9 Months Rigorous Imprisonment for Desertion
Imagine a soldier who was supposed to be getting medical treatment at a hospital.
However, it's believed he was actually at his home for more than three years without permission.
He was also accused of using a fake document at a hospital.
A special military court, called a court martial, heard the case.
The court found him guilty of being away without leave and using the fake paper.
Because of this, he has been kicked out of the army and will spend nine months in jail.
His defense argued that he was indeed getting treatment and that complaints against him were due to village disputes, highlighting his past bravery.
An Army jawan, Lance Havildar Abhay Kumar Singh, has been sentenced to nine months rigorous imprisonment and dismissal from service.
He was found guilty by a court martial of desertion and using a forged document.
Singh was accused of being absent without leave from military hospitals for over three years, allegedly staying in his village in Bihar.
The defense claimed Singh was undergoing treatment for cancer and that false complaints arose from village rivalries.
The sentence is subject to confirmation by higher authorities.
- Who
- Lance Havildar Abhay Kumar Singh of the Bihar Regiment
- What
- Sentenced to nine months rigorous imprisonment and dismissed from service after being found guilty of desertion and using a forged document by a court martial.
- When
- The verdict was issued on November 4; the desertion period spanned from July 9, 2019, to December 16, 2022.
- Where
- The court martial was held in Ambala; the jawan was allegedly in his village in Bihar and underwent treatment in various military hospitals including Lucknow, Ranchi, and Delhi Cantonment.
- Why
- Found guilty of being absent without leave from military hospitals for over three years while allegedly staying in his village, and for using a forged document at a military hospital.
Prosecution
Defense
Absence from Duty
Prosecution
Lance Havildar Abhay Kumar Singh allegedly left his post without leave from the Command Hospital in Lucknow on July 9, 2019, and remained absent until reporting to the Military Hospital in Namkum on December 16, 2022, a period of over three years.
Defense
Singh was undergoing treatment for cancer at various military hospitals and was present and accounted for during his treatment periods.
Origin of Complaints
Prosecution
Letters of complaint were received by the battalion and division headquarters alleging prolonged absence from duty and staying in his village, possibly stemming from village confrontations.
Defense
False complaints originated due to village rivalries, a common issue in the country, and Singh had a meritorious track record, including injuries sustained during training.
- Name
- Lance Havildar Abhay Kumar Singh
- Unit
- 9th Battalion, Bihar Regiment (9 Bihar)
- Charges Found Guilty Of
- Desertion (Army Act Section 38(1)), Use of forged document (Army Act Section 69)
- Charges Found Not Guilty Of
- Act prejudicial to good order and military discipline (Army Act Section 63)
- Sentence
- Nine months rigorous imprisonment and dismissal from service
- Trial Location
- Ambala
- Verdict Date
- November 4