Col. Purohit promoted weeks after acquittal in Malegaon Blast Case
Mumbai: Less than two months after being acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit has been promoted to the rank of Colonel by the Indian Army. Purohit was one of the seven accused in the case, alongside former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Pragya Singh Thakur, who were acquitted by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court.
Special Judge A.K. Lahoti, while acquitting the accused, observed that though there was “grave suspicion” against them, the prosecution had failed to establish their guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The court stated, “A grave degree of suspicion is established, but not enough to convict the accused persons. Hence, the court has given them the benefit of doubt.”
The NIA, which had earlier indicated it would seek legal opinion on challenging the verdict in the Bombay High Court, has not made any firm move so far. Families of the six people killed in the blast, however, have already challenged the acquittal.
Confirming the development, Purohit’s wife Aparna said that he has received the promotion. The move is being seen as a strong signal of government support for the officer, who remained under the shadow of terror charges for 17 years.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh congratulated Purohit on social media, sharing a photograph from the pipping ceremony. “Congratulations Col. Purohit on being back in uniform. The Govt stands firmly with patriots who serve the nation with courage and integrity,” Singh wrote.
Purohit, a serving officer, was arrested in 2008 in connection with the Malegaon blast that killed six people. The case was first investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and later handed over to the NIA after its formation in 2009.
According to the ATS, Purohit had founded Abhinav Bharat in 2006, an organisation through which funds were allegedly raised and a conspiracy planned to establish a “Hindu Rashtra” with its own constitution, flag, and even a “government in exile” to be operated from Israel or Thailand. The ATS also claimed to have unearthed financial links and initially invoked provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Those charges were later dropped, but the accused continued to face trial under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and sections of the Indian Penal Code.
The blast took place on September 29, 2008, at Bhikku Chowk in Malegaon, a town once known for its power loom industry. A case was first registered with the local police before being transferred to the ATS. The initial probe was led by then ATS chief Hemant Karkare, who was later killed in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
The case stretched over 17 years with several twists and turns. Initially, 12 people were named and jailed for nearly nine years. In 2016, when the NIA filed a supplementary chargesheet, it dropped charges against six of them, including Pragya Singh Thakur. However, after legal challenges, Thakur continued to face trial until her eventual acquittal along with the others.
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JD(S) wants changes in certain provisions in One Nation-One Election proposal
Bengaluru (PTI): The JD(S) has requested its ally BJP to make changes in certain provisions of the proposed 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill linked to the ONOE proposal, particularly the special powers proposed to be given to the ECI to recommend postponement of elections in any state.
The Parliamentary Joint Committee held discussions with political parties in Bengaluru on Saturday regarding the Constitution Amendment Bill connected to 'One Nation-One Election' and sought their suggestions and opinions.
The JD(S) said suitable amendments had been proposed to the provisions empowering the Election Commission of India to recommend to the President the deferment of state elections, while also seeking legal safeguards for the stability of coalition governments and protection for regional parties during simultaneous elections.
"With regard to the Bill, the JD(S) extended support to the Constitutional amendment with certain conditions and amendments, while suggesting safeguards to ensure that regional parties are not adversely affected by the aggressive election campaigns of national parties during simultaneous elections," the statement said.
The party stated that coalition governments have been formed and functioning at both the state and national levels for several decades in recent years, and "there is a need for legal protection to ensure their stability".
"Therefore, it also suggested incorporating legal safeguards for the stability of coalition governments in the proposed Constitutional amendment," the party, headed by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, said.
The proposed Constitutional amendment grants special powers to the ECI to recommend to the President the postponement of elections in any state. Suitable amendments to these special powers have been proposed, the party said.
"On the above stated subjects, suitable submissions were made to the JPC," the party said in a statement, which has been posted on its 'X' handle.
According to the statement, the JD(S) delegation was led by M Mallesh Babu and included former MP D Kupendra Reddy, former Assembly Deputy Speaker M Krishna Reddy, former minister Venkatrao Nadagouda, MLA T N Javarayi Gowda, former MLA K A Tippeswamy and party legal cell president A P Ranganath.
