Major Leetul Gogoi's Court Martial For 'Srinagar Hotel Incident' Completes, May Lose Seniority For 'Fraternising' With Local Woman
Major Gogoi hit the headlines after he tied a man to a jeep purportedly as a shield against stone pelters during polling in the Srinagar Lok Sabha by-election on April 9, 2017.
New Delhi, March 31: The Court Martial proceedings against Major Leetul Gogoi, charged of "fraternising" with a local Kashmiri woman while missing from duty, was completed on Sunday. The Army Court of Inquiry (CoI) had recommended disciplinary action against Major Gogoi -- which include a reduction in his seniority.
The incident involving the 18-year-old woman dates back to May 23 last year, when Major Gogoi was found at a Srinagar hotel, where he was meeting her. Along with Gogoi, his driver Sameer Malla also faced an inquiry for unauthorised absence from his unit. The CoI has ordered "strict reprimand" after finding Malla guilty as well. Srinagar Hotel Incident: What is the Case All About?
The woman, who is at the centre of the row, had expressed her unwillingness to depose during the court martial proceedings and informed the Army authorities that she had given a statement before a magistrate and the same should be treated as her final stand.
The woman had also stated that she had gone out with Major Gogoi of her own will, besides disclosing that she had become a friend of the Army officer through his fake Facebook profile, where he had named himself Ubaid Arman.
Immediately after the incident came to light last year, Army chief Bipin Rawat had said that exemplary punishment would be given to Major Gogoi if he was found guilty of "any offence". "If any officer of the Indian Army is found guilty of any offence, we will take strictest possible action," General Rawat had said.
Major Gogoi hit the headlines after he tied a man to a jeep purportedly as a shield against stone pelters during polling in the Srinagar Lok Sabha by-election on April 9, 2017.
(With PTI inputs)
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 31, 2019 06:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).