JOIN USDespite being awarded a Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card for his sustained efforts in counter-insurgency operations in the Valley, the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday said that investigation would continue against Major Leetul Gogoi in the “human shield” case.
“An FIR has been lodged and the investigation is going on. The outcome of the investigation is a separate question... The FIR will not be quashed even if the Major has been awarded,” Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Muneer Khan told reporters when asked whether the police would continue the investigation.
The remark comes a day after Major Gogoi was given a Commendation Card by army chief Gen Bipin Rawat.
The police had registered an FIR against unnamed army personnel on April 17 for tying Farooq Ahmad Dar of Chill Bras area, in Khansahib segment of Budgam district, to a jeep on April 13, the day re-poll was held in 38 polling booths of Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.
According to the preliminary investigation by the police, Dar was used as a human shield under threat and was kept under wrongful confinement by the army.
The army had ordered a Court of Inquiry (CoI) on April 20 against the Major, who tied Dar to the front of his jeep to “safeguard” paramilitary forces and polling staff from stone pelters. The CoI had been given one month time to complete the probe. The CoI is yet to submit its report.
However, the army chief has the authority to issue a Commendation Card as he sees fit, irrespective of whether an inquiry report has been submitted.
The army chief’s Commendation Card is considered a prestigious award and is given for distinguished service and devotion to duty.
A video of the incident was uploaded by Opposition National Conference leader and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on his Twitter profile, generating massive outrage and condemnation from all quarters, including some senior army officers.