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Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi likely to face seniority reduction

The case dates back to May 23, when Gogoi was caught with a young woman while trying to check in to a local hotel

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The Indian Army has completed its court martial against Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi of the 53 Rashtriya Rifles, and he may face reduction in seniority as punishment for "fraternising with a local woman" in Srinagar.

Gogoi, who had sparked a major controversy in 2017 after using 26-year-old local youth Farooq Ahmad Dar as a "human shield" against stone pelting mobs, has been held guilty of "fraternising with a local in spite of instructions to the contrary and being away from the place of duty while in operational area". The court martial process against his driver, Sameer Malla, who was facing charges of unauthorised absence from the unit, was also completed recently, and he is likely to be given a "severe reprimand".

The case dates back to May 23, when Gogoi was caught with a young woman while trying to check in to a local hotel. He, along with Malla, was detained by the local police, which handed them over to their unit after questioning. The woman was handed over to her relatives.

On August 27, the Army's court of inquiry (CoI), led by a Brigadier-rank officer, ordered initiating of disciplinary action against Major Gogoi. He was then shifted from his unit at Beerwa in Central Kashmir's Budgam district and attached to the Awantipora-based Victor Force headquarters of the Army.

Seven months on, the court martial is complete. "Disciplinary action has been recommended against Major Gogoi. He is most likely to face reduction of seniority. However, the recommendations have to be approved by the Army headquarters before they can be implemented," an officer said.

On September 1, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, Aijaz Ahmad Khan ordered a re-investigation into the case, and also directed the police to probe Malla's role. The latter is accused of ferrying the officer and the woman to the hotel in his private car.

Rajesh Kalia, defence spokesperson at Srinagar, said, "Certain mandatory procedures regarding disciplinary proceedings in respect of Maj. Leetul Gogoi are yet to be completed. Therefore, it may not be proper to comment at this stage."

Chairman of the International Forum for Justice Human Rights, Jammu and Kashmir, Muhammad Ahsan Untoo, who had approached the CJM to seek action, said the case against the duo should be tried in a civil court. "I am not satisfied with the Army proceedings. I want them to be tried in a civil court and handed punishment as per law," he said.

THE CASE

  • Gogoi caught with a woman while trying to check in to a local hotel
     
  • Accused of ‘fraternising with a local in spite of instructions to the contrary and being away from place of duty while in operational area’
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