SEINAGAR – Indian Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi of 53 Rashtriya Riffles (RR) wasarrested by the police along with the girl and accomplice after the hotelauthorities reported the matter to the cops. The police later handed himover to his unit after questioning. Inspector General of Police, KashmirZone, SP Pani has ordered a high-level probe by Superintendent of Police,North City, to unravel the truth.

The incident occurred on Wednesday morning when Major Gogoi, who had bookedthe hotel online, arrived at Hotel Grand Mamta to check in.

“We asked him to show the identity card which he dutifully did. Later weasked the identity of the second person and he showed the identity card ofa local girl. We objected because we have a policy of not giving room tolocals. Therefore, we denied him the room”, said Manzoor Ahmad of HotelGrand Mamta.

Later, he walked to the lobby where he had an argument with the guestrelationship manager. “He sat in the lobby and started surfing on themobile. He later argued with guest relations manager. When he walked out,he told his driver that the room has been denied. The driver was awell-built guy and he started arguing and altercation ensued. Weimmediately called up the police who took them along”, said Manzoor.

Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi of 53 RR had shot to fame after he tied26-year-old Kashmiri artisan Farooq Ahmad Dar with the bonnet of his jeepat Utligam before parading him in different villages on April 9, 2017.While Major Gogoi defended his actions saying he saved lives and dubbed”Dar as ring leader who instigated the stone pelting mob”, the incident hadsparked massive anger and outrage across Kashmir. Major Gogoi was laterawarded the Chief of Army Staff’s Commendation Card for his sustainedefforts in counter-insurgency operations.

Police said Police Station Khanyar had received a call from Hotel GrandMamta that an altercation has taken place in their facility.

“Accordingly, a police party was deputed to the hotel, and it surfaced thata one woman (name withheld) and person namely Sameer Ahmed of Budgam hadcome to see some person. But the hotel receptions did not allow them tomeet the person. Meanwhile police party reached the spot and got all thepersons to the police Station,” said a police spokesman.

Police said subsequently it was learnt that the woman had come to meet anarmy officer. “The identity and particulars of the army officer has beencollected by the police as well. The officials were handed over to theirunit after due recording their statements. The statement of woman is alsobeing recorded for probing the matter”, said the spokesman.

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, SP Pani has ordered a high-levelprobe into the incident. “IGP Kashmir orders probe. SP North Zone Srinagarto probe the Hotel Grand Mamta incident”, tweeted Kashmir Zone Police.

Indian Army did not respond to the repeated calls to seek their version.