Army orders action against Major Gogoi who met woman at Srinagar hotel

Major Leetul Gogoi, a controversial Indian Army officer, may face a general court-martial after he was seen with Kashmiri woman against rules and for being away from his place of duty in an operational area, two officials familiar with the move said on Monday.

Gogoi was detained by the police in a hotel in Srinagar along with a woman in May this year. A court of inquiry (CoI) into the matter found Gogoi was involved with a local woman in a counter-insurgency zone and he had no business being away from his location without permission, the officials said.

“Orders have been issued to initiate disciplinary action against him,” one of the officials cited above said.

The CoI was conducted by a brigadier. The findings of the probe have been approved by the General Officer Commanding of Srinagar headquartered 15 Corps.

The action against the officer is on expected lines. Army chief General Bipin Rawat has said days after the hotel incident took place that the major would be given “exemplary punishment” if he was found guilty of violating rules.

Gogoi waded in controversy last year after tying a Kashmiri civilian to the front of his jeep, apparently in an attempt to prevent stone-pelters from targeting his convoy. He was later awarded the Chief of Army Staff’s Commendation card for “sustained efforts” in counterinsurgency operations.

The row had deepened the army-civilian divide and sparked violent protests in militancy-hit Kashmir.

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First Published: Aug 27, 2018 12:37 IST