Major Leetul Gogoi, who hit national headlines for tying a man to a jeep in Kashmir last year, is likely to face a court-martial for trying to meet a woman in a Srinagar hotel, the Army said on Monday.
The officer with the 53 Rashtriya Rifles has been prima facie held accountable for two violations – fraternising a local, and being away from the place of duty while being in an operational area.
"A summary of evidence under Army rules will be carried before he faces further action," said sources. Summary of evidence is a written record of proof against the accused and allows the accused to question witnesses.
Officials said Major Gogoi may be let off with a severe reprimand or sacked based on the framing of charges. During court-martial proceedings, he could be posted out of his unit and taken off his regular responsibilities.
The Army had backed Major Gogoi after he drew flak for using Farooq Ahmad Dar, a resident of Budgam district, as a 'human shield' to save a patrol team from stone-pelters during a bypoll in Srinagar on April 9, 2017. He also received Army chief's 'Commendation Card' for playing a pivotal role in counter-insurgency operations.
The officer's fall from grace began on May 23 this year after he got into a scuffle trying to enter Hotel Grand Mamta in Srinagar with an 18-year old woman.
He had booked a room in the hotel in his name. The showdown prompted the hotel to call the police and he was briefly detained before being handed over to the Army.
While the woman told a magistrate that she had gone to meet the officer on her own free will, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat had then said that exemplary action would be taken if Gogoi is found guilty.
A resident of Assam, Gogoi has been posted in the Valley for more than two years carrying out anti-terror operations. He joined the Army as a soldier and later cleared the Army Cadets College exam. Gogoi trained for three years at the college in Dehradun and spent another year at the Indian Military Academy before being commissioned as an officer.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Major Leetul Gogoi")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}