SRINAGAR – Major Gogoi was detained by the police following a scuffle as he tried to enter a hotel with an 18-year-old local woman.
Major Leetul Gogoi, who is facing a Court of Inquiry (CoI) after being seen with a local woman in Srinagar hotel is likely to be court-martialled, Indian media reported citing sources in the army.
“Orders have been issued to initiate disciplinary action. The CoI has held him accountable for fraternising a local in spite of instructions to the contrary and being away from the place of duty while in an operational area,” an Indian Army source told the media on Monday.
On May 23, Maj. Gogoi was detained by the police after a scuffle when he tried to get into a hotel with an 18-year-old local woman. Following this, the Army ordered a CoI to ascertain the facts.
Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat, during a visit to the Jammu and Kashmir shortly after the incident, said that action would be taken if Maj. Gogoi was found guilty. “If any officer of the Indian Army is found guilty of any offence, we will take strictest possible action,” he said.
After the CoI was ordered, earlier this month, a report reached the Srinagar based 15 Corps headquarters to recommend action.
‘Human shield’ incident in April
Maj. Gogoi was in the news in April when he used a local, Farooq Dar, as a human shield against those pelting stones during polling in the Srinagar Lok Sabha by-election. On this occasion, he was awarded a commendation card by Gen. Rawat in appreciation of his sustained efforts in counter-insurgency operations.
