A Court of Inquiry constituted by the Indian Army has found Major Leetul Gogoi guilty of violating army rules and conduct, and ordered the initiation of disciplinary action.
Major Leetul Gogoi (Photo: Facebook)
A Court of Inquiry constituted by the Indian Army has found Major Leetul Gogoi guilty of violating army rules and conduct, and ordered the initiation of disciplinary action.
The Court of Inquiry has held him guilty for fraternising with a local in spite of clear instructions to the contrary and for being away from the place of duty while in an operational area.
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On 4 August, the Colonel conducting the Court of Inquiry had reportedly found Major Gogoi guilty of violating the Army’s rule against developing a relationship with a local woman in a conflict zone and breaching the standard operating procedure of staying away from the place of duty.
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The findings of the Colonel were placed before the top brass of the Srinagar-based XV corps for approval.
Major Gogoi, an officer of the 53 Rashtriya Rifles, was on 23 May detained by the Jammu and Kashmir Police following a scuffle at a hotel in Srinagar where he was found with an 18-year-old local woman.
A brawl between Major Gogoi and the staff broke out after the hotel management didn’t allow him to book a room with the local girl. The girl, too, was detained by the police.
The Army had taken cognisance of the matter and order the inquiry.
Major Gogoi has been a known face in the Valley ever since 2017 human shield incident in which he tied a man to his jeep purportedly as a shield against stone pelters during polling in the Srinagar Lok Sabha by-election on 9 April.
He was awarded the Army Chief’s Commendation Card for his “sustained efforts” in counter-insurgency operations.
But just two days after the hotel incident, Army chief General Bipin Rawat assured the “strictest punishment” as per Army rules.
“If anyone in Indian Army, at any rank, does any wrong and it comes to our notice then strictest action will be taken,” said the Army chief on 25 May in Srinagar.
Read More: If Major Gogoi has done wrong, his punishment will set an example, says Army Chief
“If Major Gogoi has done something wrong then I can convincingly tell you that he will be given due punishment soon and the punishment will be such that it will set an example,” the General said.
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