Human shield sees 'justice' on 'arrogant'

TT, Srinagar: "Justice" after 16 months of mental trauma, marked by the memory of his humiliation by Major Leetul Gogoi and the mockery of many on the Indian mainland.

That was the reaction of embroidery artisan Farooq Ahmed Dar on Monday on hearing that the officer who had used him as a human shield, and was awarded for it, is likely to be court-martialled for indiscipline.

"Justice has been finally done. I'm thankful to the Almighty," the 28-year-old said from his home in Budgam. "The person who ruined my life has to face the wrath of God, finally. God has his ways of doing justice."

He added: "The major was arrogant with power and considered himself my creator. However, little did he know that lightning makes no sound until it strikes."

During a parliamentary by-election in Srinagar in April last year, Gogoi had strapped Dar to the front of his jeep as a shield against stone-throwers and driven from village to village, triggering outrage nationally and abroad.

However, the army chief, General Bipin Rawat, called his act an "innovative" way of saving lives and handed Gogoi a commendation card.

Gogoi now faces disciplinary action after being caught with a teenaged girl in a Srinagar hotel last May.

Dar has been struggling to pick up the pieces of his life, his ordeal continuing with Bollywood featuring him as a villain, a BJP politician selling T-shirts mocking him and neighbours shunning him.

"I can't sleep. I haven't the peace of mind to concentrate on my work, so I have been jobless for a year," he had told The Telegraph in April this year.

"My mother is a heart patient; my ordeal has accentuated her ailment."

Dar had told Gogoi he had just voted and could therefore not be a stone-thrower intent on disrupting the election, but says he was beaten up. Investigations by central agencies and the local police have backed Dar's claim.

"I'm not even sure whether I'll be able to restart my life again but I'm happy that God has given me justice at the end of the day. The person who is responsible for my destruction has also been eventually shamed," Dar said on Monday.

Asked whether Gogoi being punished on a different charge amounted to justice for Dar, rights activist Mohammad Ashan Untoo, who has been fighting legally on Dar's behalf, said: "I have faith in the Almighty as well as the judiciary. One day we will get justice in our case too." PTI