Punjab and Haryana High Court denies bail to ex-Army man accused of spying for Pakistan

The Punjab and Haryana High on Thursday denied bail to an ex-serviceman who was arrested on February 7 for allegedly passing confidential information about Army movements to Pakistani intelligence agencies [Harpal Singh @ Harbahal Singh v State of Punjab].

Justice Manisha Batra said the allegations against the accused, Harpal Singh, are quite serious, as he was alleged to have been in constant contact with Pakistani intelligence agencies

“The petitioner is alleged to have established contact with officials of Pakistani intelligence agencies through various social media platforms and, by virtue of his previous association with the Indian Army, collected and transmitted them the confidential information relating to Army movements, war preparations and military formations. He is also alleged to have monetary consideration for such activities,” the Court noted. 

Singh, who was posted with the Defence Service Corps at Air Force Station, Bikaner at the time of his arrest, was booked by a Special Operation Cell in Amritsar earlier this year under provisions of the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

This was after a secret informer told the police that Singh was collecting highly confidential information regarding Army movements and other sensitive information and transmitting the same to Pakistan.

However, Singh’s counsel said that he was falsely implicated in the case. He served the Army for nearly 17 years with an unblemished service record, Singh's counsel told the Court.

It was further submitted that he was not apprehended from any prohibited or sensitive military area but was illegally picked up from a marriage function. His counsel asserted that there was no material to establish that he had ever transmitted any secret information to any person.

However, the Court found no merit in the bail plea and dismissed it.

“Having regard to the seriousness of the allegations, the nature of the material collected during investigation and the larger public interest involved, this Court does not find it to be a fit case for extending the concession of regular bail to the petitioner at this stage,” the Bench said.

Advocate Kuljit Singh Bal represented the petitioner.

Advocate Sakshi Bakshi represented the State.

[Read Order]