Sources said Major Leetul Gogoi's loss of seniority is limited to pension and not his future promotions.

Army authorities have confirmed that Major Leetul Gogoi has been punished with a loss of seniority of six months of pension after he was found guilty of "fraternising" with a local woman and being away from his place of duty even after he was not authorised to do so in Srinagar last year.

The court martial proceeding against Major Leetul Gogoi was completed in March and he faced a situation where he could lose seniority. However, this was back then yet to be confirmed by higher authorities.

Sources said Gogoi's loss of seniority is limited to pension and not his future promotions.

A loss of seniority would mean he would not be eligible for promotion with his batch and his future prospects in the service to move up the ladder would be affected. Army sources said the punishment finally given to him is a "loss of seniority for pension for six months."

This means at the end of his service, he will not be eligible for six months pension.

Gogoi will be posted outside Kashmir Valley as he completed his tenure there in Rashtriya Rifles. With regards to him being posted out, sources said it should not been seen as a shunting out but as a "normal posting."

Gogoi was posted in Rashtriya Rifles in March 2016 and stayed on since October 2018 due to pending inquiry and action.

The period of Gogoi's posting makes it clear he has completed a normal tour of his duty, which is between two to two and a half years, Army sources said.

The recommendation for is loss of seniority was made in March 2019 and has now been confirmed by the competent authority.

(With inputs from Manjeet Singh Negi)