2 months ago
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The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) connected Monday (March 16, 2026) stayed the status of Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit, acquitted successful the 2008 Malegaon blast case, pending a determination connected his statutory ailment connected promotion and work benefits.
Colonel Purohit had approached the tribunal seeking promotion to the ranks of Colonel and Brigadier, arguing that his vocation progression was stalled owed to his apprehension and prolonged proceedings successful the Malegaon blast case. He was arrested successful 2008 and remained successful custody until the Supreme Court granted him bail successful 2017. He resumed duties thereafter and has been serving since. The serviceman was acquitted successful the Malegaon blast case by a Special NIA Court successful Mumbai connected July 31, 2025.
In an bid passed connected March 16, a transcript of which was accessed by The Hindu, a Bench headed by Justice Rajendra Menon observed that the serviceman had made a prima facie lawsuit for being considered for promotion and work benefits astatine par with his juniors.
The tribunal has besides issued announcement to the Union of India and different respondents, asking them to amusement origin wherefore the alleviation sought by the serviceman should not beryllium granted.
During the hearing, his counsel, Major S.S. Pandey (retd), argued that contempt an unblemished work grounds of implicit 2 decades and beardown show reports aft rejoining duty, his lawsuit for promotion was not considered.
Taking enactment of the acquittal and the circumstances of the case, the tribunal directed that his status beryllium kept successful abeyance until a determination is taken connected his statutory ailment regarding promotion and work benefits.
