New Delhi, September 4

Any case of moral turpitude and corruption would be dealt with sternly, Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat said on Tuesday, referring to Major Leetul Gogoi, who was found guilty of “fraternising” with a local woman at a Srinagar hotel.

Gen Rawat said action would be taken against Maj Gogoi in keeping with his guilt.

“I had clearly said that any case of moral turpitude and corruption will be dealt with in a very stern manner. The Court of Inquiry has recommended that we should go in for courtmartial proceedings.

“If it is related to moral turpitude, then we will take action accordingly. If it is something else, the punishment will be (according) to the crime he has committed,” Gen Rawat told reporters in New Delhi in response to a question on Maj Gogoi.

Last month, an Army Court of Inquiry indicted Maj Gogoi for “fraternising” with a local woman at a Srinagar hotel and being away from his place of duty.

Maj Gogoi was detained by police in May following an altercation when he was allegedly trying to enter a Srinagar hotel with the 18-year-old woman.

Last year, the officer was at the centre of a human shield row after his decision to tie a civilian to the bonnet of his vehicle in Kashmir, purportedly as a shield against stone-pelters during polling in the Srinagar Lok Sabha by-election.

He was honoured by Gen Rawat with the Army chief’s Commendation Card for his sustained efforts in counter-insurgency operations. PTI