AFT Halts Lt Col Purohit's Retirement Pending MoD Review
The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has halted the retirement process of Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Purohit, originally set for March 31, 2026, providing significant interim relief to the officer.
In its directive, the tribunal stated that Lt Col Purohit's retirement will be postponed until the resolution of his statutory complaint and has requested a response from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Claim of Career Impact Due to Malegaon Case
After being acquitted in July 2025 of charges related to the 2008 Malegaon blast case, Lt Col Purohit approached the tribunal. He claimed that the protracted 17-year legal battle had a detrimental impact on his career growth, hindering his promotion opportunities.
Purohit argued that under normal circumstances, he would have advanced to the rank of Brigadier by now, thus positioning him for potential promotion to Major General.
Promotion Denied Amid DV Ban
Despite returning to service post-bail in 2017, Lt Col Purohit faced suspension until 2020, accompanied by a Discipline and Vigilance (DV) ban, both affecting his promotion chances.
In 2021, although he was evaluated for a promotion to Colonel, the decision was withheld, and he was subsequently informed of his unfitness for the promotion.
Purohit's petition disputed the sealed cover procedure, asserting that it prevented him from challenging the decision, thereby affecting his future promotion prospects.
Tribunal Observations
The AFT bench, under Justice Rajendra Menon, acknowledged the possibility that Lt Col Purohit might deserve consideration for promotion and related benefits, especially given his acquittal, aligning him with peers or juniors.
The tribunal remarked that his career progression might have been compromised by the way he was implicated in the case.
Next Hearing in May
The next hearing is set for May 22, 2026, where the tribunal will evaluate the officer’s requests for promotion, restoration of benefits, and career progression equality.
This case highlights the broader issue of how prolonged legal proceedings can impact the careers of military personnel and the necessity for equitable assessment following an acquittal.
