Operation Sindoor: Punjab & Haryana High Court grants bail to man accused of spying for Pakistan

The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently granted bail to a man accused of spying for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor [Davender Singh vs. State of Haryana].

While granting bail, Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj noted that the State failed to produce material showing that any Army-related information was actually shared with Pakistan.

The Court also noted that sanction under the Official Secrets Act was still awaited, preventing the trial from commencing.

The Court was hearing the case of one Davender Singh who was accused of spying for Pakistan and sharing sensitive information about Army movements during Operation Sindoor.

The case dates back to May 2025 when Davender first came under the police radar after allegedly uploading photographs of himself holding pistols and a gun on Facebook. An FIR under the Arms Act was registered, and his mobile phone was taken into custody during that investigation.

Soon after he secured bail in the Arms Act case, a second FIR was registered on May 15, 2025, based on a disclosure statement allegedly made during interrogation. It was in this statement that the allegation of links with Pakistan-based persons first surfaced.

According to the prosecution, Davender had travelled to Pakistan in November 2024 as part of a religious pilgrimage to Kartarpur Sahib and Nankana Sahib.

During the visit, he allegedly came in contact with persons identified as Shah Ji, Rasid Mohammad, Arslan and a woman named Riza, who were suspected to be linked to espionage activities.

It was alleged that after returning to India, Davender remained in contact with one such individual identified as “Shah Ji” -a suspected ISI agent - through social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Snapchat.

The prosecution claimed that he recorded movements of the Indian Army and collected sensitive information, including details relating to Army establishments at Patiala.

A video showing Army vehicles was recovered from Davender's mobile phone as well. He was also alleged to have deleted certain data from the device, fearing arrest.

Davender's counsel disputed the allegations and stated that he had travelled to Pakistan only as part of a religious congregation, where pilgrims remain confined to designated premises under supervision.

He also pointed out that the alleged phone calls between Davender and the Pakistan-based contact took place between April 18 and May 10, 2025, while Operation Sindoor commenced only on May 9, 2025. There was no allegation of any communication after the operation began.

During the hearing, the Court repeatedly queried the State on whether any Army-related video or information had actually been transmitted to persons in Pakistan.

The State was unable to answer the Court’s queries or support its claims. The Court then noted that apart from the Arms Act case, Davender had no criminal history. 

Ultimately, taking into consideration the fact that even sanction under the Official Secrets Act was still awaited, the Court released him on bail.

[Read Order]