Army Clears Lt Col Shrikant Purohit, Acquitted in Malegaon Blasts Case, for Promotion
Promotion Approval After Acquittal
Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit has been approved for promotion to the rank of brigadier, as confirmed by sources on Friday. Purohit was acquitted in the Malegaon blast case by an NIA court in July 2025, alongside six others, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur.
Purohit’s acquittal followed an extensive judicial process, leading him to approach the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) post-verdict. He expressed that his career progression was negatively impacted by the lengthy trial, claiming that the delays had deprived him of a fair chance for promotion within the Army.
Retirement Stay by Armed Forces Tribunal
In a recent development, the Armed Forces Tribunal temporarily stayed Purohit’s retirement, which was scheduled for March 31, while it deliberated on his plea for promotion and associated service benefits. The tribunal has instructed the Ministry of Defence to pause his retirement until a conclusion is reached regarding his statutory complaint.
Background of the Case
At the time of his arrest in November 2008, Purohit was serving in military intelligence as a lieutenant colonel, making it a notable case as it marked the first instance of a serving Army officer being implicated in a terrorism-related offense in India. He spent close to nine years in detention before the Supreme Court granted him bail in September 2017.
The Malegaon blast took place on September 29, 2008, when an explosive device affixed to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in the Bhikku Chowk area of Malegaon, Maharashtra. The tragic incident led to the deaths of six individuals and injuries to 95 others.
Initially, 11 individuals were charged in connection with the case, but ultimately, the court framed charges against seven defendants. The case was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in 2011. Over nearly 17 years, investigators examined hundreds of witnesses before all accused were acquitted of charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Arms Act, and other legal provisions.
Alongside Purohit and Thakur, those acquitted included Major (retd) Ramesh Upadhyay, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhankar Dhar Dwivedi (also known as Shankaracharya), and Sameer Kulkarni.
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Contents
Promotion Approval After AcquittalLieutenant Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit has been approved for promotion to the rank of brigadier, as confirmed by sources on Friday. Purohit was acquitted in the Malegaon blast case by an NIA court in July 2025, alongside six others, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur.Purohit’s acquittal followed an extensive judicial process, leading him to approach the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) post-verdict. He expressed that his career progression was negatively impacted by the lengthy trial, claiming that the delays had deprived him of a fair chance for promotion within the Army.Retirement Stay by Armed Forces TribunalIn a recent development, the Armed Forces Tribunal temporarily stayed Purohit’s retirement, which was scheduled for March 31, while it deliberated on his plea for promotion and associated service benefits. The tribunal has instructed the Ministry of Defence to pause his retirement until a conclusion is reached regarding his statutory complaint.Background of the CaseAt the time of his arrest in November 2008, Purohit was serving in military intelligence as a lieutenant colonel, making it a notable case as it marked the first instance of a serving Army officer being implicated in a terrorism-related offense in India. He spent close to nine years in detention before the Supreme Court granted him bail in September 2017.The Malegaon blast took place on September 29, 2008, when an explosive device affixed to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in the Bhikku Chowk area of Malegaon, Maharashtra. The tragic incident led to the deaths of six individuals and injuries to 95 others.Initially, 11 individuals were charged in connection with the case, but ultimately, the court framed charges against seven defendants. The case was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in 2011. Over nearly 17 years, investigators examined hundreds of witnesses before all accused were acquitted of charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Arms Act, and other legal provisions.Alongside Purohit and Thakur, those acquitted included Major (retd) Ramesh Upadhyay, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhankar Dhar Dwivedi (also known as Shankaracharya), and Sameer Kulkarni.
