The Indian Army has promoted Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit to the rank of Colonel, shortly after a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court acquitted him in the 2008 Malegaon terror blast case. This incident, which resulted in the deaths of six Muslim men and injuries to over 100 others in a predominantly Muslim area, has been a contentious topic since it occurred.
Purohit was one of seven accused, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur, but was cleared of all charges due to the prosecution’s inability to substantiate its case. His arrest in 2008 was regarded as a significant development in establishing the alleged motivations behind the Malegaon blast.
Originally investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the case was handed over to the NIA following its establishment in 2009. The ATS alleged that Purohit founded the Abhinav Bharat organization in 2006 to raise funds and orchestrate the conspiracy for the blast. The agency claimed that Purohit aimed to establish a “Hindu Rashtra” with its own constitution, flag, and a “government in exile” potentially based in either Israel or Thailand.
Charges of financial links were initially made, invoking the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA), though these claims were later dismissed. Purohit and the others were eventually charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The investigation began with a First Information Report (FIR) lodged by local police before being escalated to the ATS, led at the time by Hemant Karkare, who was killed in the Mumbai terror attacks on November 26.
In acquitting the seven accused, Special Judge A.K. Lahoti noted that while there was “grave suspicion” against them, such suspicion alone does not suffice for conviction. “There can be strong suspicion, but mere suspicion is not enough to punish them,” he remarked, granting the accused the benefit of the doubt.
Despite initial intentions to appeal the acquittal in the Bombay High Court, the NIA has not shown significant interest in advancing the case. Conversely, the families of the deceased victims have pursued their own legal challenges against the ruling.
Purohit’s promotion, confirmed by his wife, Aparna, is perceived as an indication of governmental support for an officer who remained a terror accused for over 17 years. Throughout the nearly two-decade-long legal battle, the case witnessed multiple changes. Originally, 12 individuals were named as accused, with many spending nearly nine years in custody. In May 2016, the NIA filed a supplementary chargesheet, dropping six names, including that of BJP leader Pragya Singh Thakur, although she continued to face trial amid contested attempts to absolve her of charges.
The prosecution presented testimonies from 323 witnesses during the proceedings, though 34 of them turned hostile, and over 30 witnesses died before they could testify. Notably, one accused, Sudhakar Dwivedi, claimed that no blast had occurred, prompting the prosecution to summon over 100 victims and injured individuals to counter this assertion.
This development comes as a significant chapter in a case that has spanned more than 17 years and remains a focal point of public and judicial scrutiny.
Tags: Indian Army, Lt Col Prasad Purohit, Malegaon blast, Colonel promotion, acquittal
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