Mumbai: Less than two months after a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court acquitted Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit in the 2008 Malegaon terror bomb blast case, the Indian Army has promoted him to the rank of Colonel. Purohit, one of seven accused tried for their roles in the terror blast, alongside former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Pragya Singh Thakur, was acquitted after the prosecution failed to prove the case in court.
Special Judge A.K. Lahoti, while acquitting the seven accused, pointed to “grave suspicion” against them but added that “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.” Judge Lahoti further stated, “There can be strong suspicion, but mere suspicion is not enough to punish them.”
The NIA, which claimed it would seek legal opinion to decide whether to challenge the acquittal in the Bombay High Court, has shown no commitment to pursuing the case further. Meanwhile, the families of the six individuals killed in the blast have challenged the acquittal.
Speaking to the media, Purohit’s wife, Aparna, confirmed the promotion. This promotion can be interpreted as a clear stand by the government in support of an individual who was a terror accused for over 17 years.
Minister of Textile Giriraj Singh shared a picture of the pipping ceremony of Purohit and congratulated him. “Congratulations Col. Purohit on being back in uniform. The Govt (government( stands firmly with patriots who serve the nation with courage and integrity,” Singh wrote.
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here.
