Major Gogoi Likely To Face Court-Martial In Srinagar Hotel Case

Major Gogoi who was at the Centre of the “human shield” controversy at Budham district in April last year, is likely to face a court-martial in connection to an altercation when he was found trying to enter a hotel in Srinagar with a local woman, Times of India reports.

A court of enquiry (COI), headed by a brigadier had prima facie indicted him for "fraternising" with a woman source against existing orders and “leaving his unit in an operational area without permission" from his superiors in May this year.

The Army on Monday (27 August) said orders had been issued to initiate disciplinary action against Gogoi. General Bipin Rawat had earlier stated that exemplary punishment would be given to Major Gogoi if he was found guilty of any offence.

Major Gogoi, posted with 53 Rashtriya Rifles (Punjab regiment) at Bewara in Budhgam district, had first faced flak after he controversially decided to truss up a civilian named Farooq Ahmed Dar on his jeep's bonnet as a "human shield" to rescue over a dozen security and election personnel from a stone-pelting mob on 9 April last year.

Brushing aside the criticism that Major Gogoi had violated human rights, General Bipin Rawat had awarded him with the Chief of Staff commendation card for his "sustained efforts in counterinsurgency operations as well as his presence of mind and initiative to prevent bloodshed in a volatile situation."

But on 23 May this year, Major Gogoi was again at the centre of controversy, after police detained him along with a Kashmiri woman and a third person, following an altercation over them getting a room in Grand Mamta hotel in Srinagar.