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News Topical, Digital Desk : Colonel Shrikant Purohit, who was initially implicated and then acquitted in the infamous 2008 Malegaon bombings case in Maharashtra, has been promoted. The Indian Army has approved his promotion to the rank of Brigadier, according to news agency ANI, citing sources.
The Armed Forces Tribunal, after hearing Colonel Purohit's promotion petition, stayed his retirement, scheduled for March 31, 2026. Colonel Purohit had sought promotion to the rank of Colonel and Brigadier, arguing that his career progression had been hampered by his arrest and the prolonged trial in the Malegaon blast case.
The NIA special court acquitted him in 2025.
He was arrested in 2008 and remained in custody until 2017, when the Supreme Court granted him bail. He then resumed his duties and has been in service ever since. On July 31, 2025, a special NIA court in Mumbai acquitted the officer in the Malegaon blast case.
Meanwhile, in an order passed on March 16, a bench headed by Justice Rajendra Menon observed that the officer concerned has prima facie made out a case that he should be treated at par with his juniors in matters of promotion and service benefits.
Colonel Purohit's lawyer argued this in the court
The tribunal also issued notices to the Union of India and other respondents, asking them to explain why the officer should not be granted the relief sought. During the hearing, his counsel, Major S.S. Pandey (Retd.), argued that despite an unblemished service record of over two decades and excellent performance reports after resuming duty, his case was not considered for promotion.
Considering the acquittal and the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal directed that his retirement be kept in abeyance until a decision is taken on his statutory grievance relating to promotion and service benefits.
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