In the latest development, the Indian Army has found Major Leetul Gogoi guilty of fraternizing with a local and being away from his operational area without permission. As per the rules, he may now face severe reprimand or even court-martial, depending on the evidence and statement to be recorded during the Summary of Evidence (SoE).

Major Gogoi of 53 Rashtriya Rifles was once briefly held by the J&K Police in May this year, when he had an altercation with the cops while trying to check into a hotel with a local girlin Srinagar.

Gogoi was also in news in April last year, when a video emerged on social media where a local Kashmir man was shown tied to the bonnet of an army jeep. As per reports, Gogoi used the man as ‘a human shield’ to rescue many fellow army men as well as on-duty poll officials from an angry stone-pelting mob.

This was reported widely, drawing angry reactions from concerned citizens. However, Major Gogoi got a clean chit for the ‘human shield’ case and later awarded with theChief of Army Staff’s commendation card for his efforts in counter-insurgency operations. Army had backed him in that specific case.

In the next case he was foundhaving some kind of relations with a local girl for which he had an altercation with the cops at a Srinagar hotel. The Army court of inquiry headed by a brigadier has now found Major Gogoi guilty with the prima facie evidence.

The Army has ordered disciplinary action against Gogoi which might result in anything once the actual trial begins in the military legal system.

As we all know, the punishment when it happens in military court is severe, as any indiscipline by any military personnel may cause severe threat to the national security.

No matter, whether an officer is involved in any such misdeeds knowingly or unknowingly, but there is possibility of an officer can be ‘honey trapped’ for espionage and even compromise the life of others in the unit.  

Earlier, the Army Chief General Bipin Rawat during his visit to J&K this year in May had told in very strong words that severe punishment would be given to the officer if he was found guilty of any offence.

He had very clearly told: “If Major Gogoi has done something wrong, I assure you that he will be awarded punishment at the earliest and the punishment will be such that it will set an example.”

--Deepak Mohanty