New Delhi (Sputnik) — A high ranking officer of the Indian Army has been punished by a military court for committing adultery with another officer’s wife. The brigadier ranked officer was awarded the punishment on Wednesday with a loss of seniority of 10 years of service along with a severe reprimand.
"Stealing the affections of a brother officer's wife is considered a very serious misdemeanor and unbecoming conduct in the armed forces but the punishment, in this case, was relatively soft because he pleaded guilty to the charges," an officer of Indian Army was quoted by the local media.
“It is befitting. I am surprised as to why this officer was not dismissed from the forces. Such conduct is not matching to the glorious traditions of the Indian Army,” Defence expert Major General P.K. Sehgal (retired) told Sputnik.
Such actions have a deterring effect on the young officers and we can’t think of strong army without disciplined men and officers, he added.
The brigadier who was punished was charged with 13 allegations including that of adultery, falsifying official documents and violation of good order and military discipline. The court-martial proceedings were held at Binaguri under the Kolkata-based Eastern Army Command.
The armed forces in India have not been devoid of such controversies in recent past. The Indian Air Force, some time ago, sacked a fighter pilot for having an illicit love affair with his senior officer's wife. The image of the Indian Navy too has been marred by such cases. Similar action was taken against two commander rank officers in Mumbai. One officer was punished for having an extra-marital affair while the other had sent lewd text messages to women.
