Major Gogoi stares at court martial for AWOL from post

Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi, who had shot to fame for tying a protester to an Army jeep as a “human shield” last year in Kashmir, was indicted by an Army Court of Inquiry (CoI) for “fraternising” with a local girl in a Srinagar hotel this year and deserting his place of duty in operational area. The probe called for disciplinary action against the officer and he is likely to face court martial.

The CoI headed by a Brigadier-rank officer and held in Srinagar probed an incident in a city hotel on May 23  when Major Gogoi was detained by the local police following an altercation. Major Gogoi was accused of trying to enter the hotel with an 18-year-old girl.

According to reports, Gogoi had allegedly booked a room online in the hotel. When he along with his driver and the girl approached the front desk of the hotel, he was denied entry to his room with the girl as she was a “local”. The officer told the police he had come for a “source meeting”.

The incident led to an uproar and the Army initiated a probe. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, during a visit to J&K, had said “strictest” action will be taken if any wrongdoing was established. He also promised that punishment  will be such that it will set an example.

“If anyone in the Indian Army, at any rank, does any wrong and it comes to our notice, then strictest action will be taken. If Major Gogoi has done anything wrong then I can say that he will be given due punishment and the punishment will be such that it will set an example,” Rawat had said. The CoI held him accountable for “fraternising” with a local in spite of instructions to the contrary and for “being away from the place of duty while in operational area,” sources said here on Monday.

The CoI had submitted its findings to the convening authority earlier this month following which further proceedings have been initiated, they added. Sources said Major Gogoi will remain in his unit, 53 Rashtriya Rifles, for the time being for recording of summary of evidence and if needed attached to a unit nearby to enable him to attend the proceedings if a court martial takes place.

The officer’s action of tying Farooq Ahmed Dar to a jeep during the Srinagar Lok Sabha bypoll on April 9 last year had drawn him bouquets and brickbats. He had tied the man to the vehicle as a ‘human shield’ against stone-pelters in Budgam district. The Army Chief had lauded Major Gogoi’s action and honoured him with the Army Chief’s “Commendation Card” for his “sustained efforts” in counter-insurgency operations.

“Justice has been finally done,” remarked Dar on hearing the officer was indicted by the CoI.

The 28-year-old embroidery artisan, who is struggling to pick up the threads of his life after the “traumatic” incident, said the Indian Army should have treated his case also on compassionate grounds and listened to his version of the incident that sparked an outrage.