NEW DELHI – The Indian Army has ordered a court of inquiry against MajorNitin Leetul Gogoi, who was briefly detained by police in Srinagar on May23, after an altercation when he was allegedly trying to enter a hotel withan 18-year-old woman.

The army said that an appropriate action will be taken after the inquiry isfinalised.

Earlier in the day, Army Chief Bipin Rawat today said exemplary punishmentwould be given to Gogoi if he was found guilty of ‘any offence’.

“If any officer of the Indian army is found guilty of any offence, we willtake strictest possible action,” Rawat told reporters at Pahalgham while ona visit to the Army Goodwill School.

“If Major Gogoi has done something wrong, I assure you that he will beawarded punishment at the earliest…the punishment will set an example,”the army chief said.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police has initiated an inquiry into the incidentinvolving Gogoi, whose decision to tie a civilian to the bonnet of hisvehicle in Kashmir last year sparked a row.

Major Gogoi of 53 RR had shot to fame after he tied 26-year-old Kashmiriartisan Farooq Ahmad Dar with the bonnet of his jeep at Utligam beforeparading him in different villages on April 9, 2017.

While Major Gogoi defended his actions saying he saved lives and dubbed”Dar as the ringleader who instigated the stone pelting mob”, the incidenthad sparked massive anger and outrage across Kashmir.

Major Gogoi was later awarded the Chief of Army Staff’s Commendation Cardfor his sustained efforts in counter-insurgency operations.