In Kashmir, Political Parties Hail Major Gogoi’s Indictment In Srinagar Hotel Case

Srinagar: The political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have welcomed the indictment against Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi of 53 Rashtriya Rifles in the hotel fracas case.

“Army initiating disciplinary action against Major Gogoi is a welcome step. Only hope that unlike Pathribal and Machil fake encounters, it is taken to its logical conclusion”, tweeted Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and PDP president.

The Court of Inquiry led by Brigadier rank officer ordered to initiate disciplinary action against Major Gogoi after he was found guilty for “fraternizing local in spite of instructions to the contrary and being away from the place of duty while in operational area”.

Major Gogoi, who sparked major controversy for using 26 year old youth Farooq Ahmad Dar as human shield to negotiate stone pelting mobs last year, was caught with a young woman while trying to check-in a local hotel here on May 23. Major Gogoi was later detained by the police along with a young woman and accomplice Sameer Malla after the hotel authorities reported the matter to the cops.

Mohammad Ahsan Untoo, main petitioner demanding re-investigation in Major Gogoi’s hotel fracas, told DNA that there is no word about Sameer Malla who is the co accused in the case.

“Malla was with him on that day. He is the kingpin. But there is no word about him. Has he been punished or not? Plus the army’s decision will not impact our case. We will pursue our case and demand reinvestigation”, he said.

The National Conference too welcomed the action against the army officer saying it only lends credibility to the army. “It is in the interest of the army if they punish any guilty officer. It only adds to their credibility. Had army taken action when he used the young man as human shield, he would not have dared to take this step”, said Ali Mohommad Sagar, General Secretary of National Conference. (DNA)