Jammu lawyers support Major Gogoi, demand FIR withdrawal
TNN Bureau. Updated: 5/26/2017 11:52:54 PM
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DEEPAK KHAJURIA
JAMMU: At a time when a heated debate is going on over Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat awarding a commendation card to Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi, the Bar Association Jammu (BAJ) has come out in the Major’s support and demanded withdrawal of the FIR lodged against him by J&K Police in the human shield incident.
Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Jammu has decided to organize a press conference on Saturday on the issue and will formally raise its demand of withdrawal of the FIR against Major Gogoi.
Terming Major Gogoi as a brave and sharp thinking soldier of Indian Army who saved many lives by his bold and courageous act, lawyers said that Jammu BAR is with the Major and offer to help him legally whenever and wherever required.
Talking to The News Now from Srinagar over phone, BAR president, Advocate B.S. Slathia said, “We are with Major Gogoi and we are demanding that the FIR lodged against him by the police should be withdrawn. We will also fight for him if the legal process goes ahead.”
BAR association members said that they are ready to launch a campaign and will go on a strike if their demand is not met in the given time frame.
Yesterday IGP Kashmir, Muneer Khan had said that the army honouring the major will not impact the probe and the first information report (FIR) in this case has not been quashed.
Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi had come in limelight after an incident in Budgam, Central Kashmir, when he ordered to tie a Kashmiri man on the bonnet of a jeep as a shield against stone-pelters on April 9, 2017.
On April 17, an FIR was registered under Sections 342, 149, 506 and 367 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) in the case.
Later, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Bipin Rawat awarded the Major for “sustained efforts” in counter-insurgency operations on Monday.
On Tuesday, Gogoi defended his act in a video interview.