Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit Cleared by Indian Army for Brigadier Promotion Amidst Legal Acquittal
Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit has been approved for promotion to the rank of Brigadier by the Indian Army, as per information from informed sources. This marks a noteworthy achievement in his career, which faced significant hurdles due to his involvement and eventual acquittal in the 2008 Malegaon blast case.
This decision came after the Armed Forces Tribunal’s (AFT) Principal Bench intervened in March 2026. The Tribunal instructed that Colonel Purohit’s impending retirement, scheduled for March 31, 2026, be deferred until a decision was made regarding his complaint for promotion and related benefits. The Tribunal recognized a valid case in his favor, emphasizing that he was denied fair promotion opportunities during his extended criminal trial.
Arrested in November 2008 for his alleged role in the Malegaon blast, Colonel Purohit, an officer in Military Intelligence, endured a nearly 17-year legal battle. This period saw restrictions that hampered his career progression, despite having the necessary service years for promotion. He was granted bail by the Supreme Court in August 2017 and resumed his duties. On July 31, 2025, a Special NIA Court in Mumbai acquitted him and six others, citing insufficient evidence.
After his acquittal, Colonel Purohit was promoted to Colonel in September 2025. However, due to earlier service disruptions, he lagged behind his peers in the promotion hierarchy. He approached the AFT, arguing for equal consideration for promotion to Colonel and subsequently to Brigadier, asserting that criminal proceedings unfairly delayed his career advancement. The Tribunal’s March 2026 order temporarily halted his retirement and urged prompt review of his case by the Army.
The Army's approval for his promotion to Brigadier, communicated internally, facilitates Colonel Purohit’s continued service. If formalized, the promotion would allow him to serve until March 31, 2028, in line with the tenure for a Brigadier.
This development has been positively received by military personnel, both serving and retired, who regard it as a just recognition of Colonel Purohit’s commitment to the nation. Veterans consider this a reaffirmation that an officer’s career should not suffer due to unproven allegations later dismissed by the court.
As of now, there has been no official statement from the Indian Army’s Public Information Directorate. The details are based on reports from credible sources, including news agencies like ANI. Formal orders and official notices are anticipated soon.
Colonel Purohit’s case highlights the difficulties faced by military personnel in prolonged legal battles and demonstrates the role of judicial and administrative systems in protecting their service rights. The Army’s decision underscores its dedication to merit-based promotions and correcting past injustices caused by external factors beyond an officer’s control.
Further updates on the finalization of the promotion and any related service benefits will be closely observed.
35 comments
It is very frustrating to note about a promotion given to such a notorious person who was involved in the Malegaon blasts by the so-called Abhinav Bharat, a terrorist wing linked to the anti national RSS. He had stolen the RDX from the Indian Military store and provided this to the terrorists linked to Abhinav Bharath and many Muslims and innocent people killed due to this bomb blasts done in almost 10 major cities inside India. He was acquitted from the case because of the BJP involvement and influence on the NIA public prosecutor later she resigned the post due to the pressure from the Govt and she disclosed this to the media too. It is too sad to promote such a notorious Hindutwa terrorist and very shameful to Indian Army by losing its century old image of strict rules and disciplines, etc
it is acquittal….there is no such thing called legal acquittal..
it is acquittal….there is no such thing called legal acquittal..
Very good and commendable judgement by AFT Delhi.
The persons involved in harassing and mentally torturing him should be taken to task.
Good decision by Army. Now Lt Col Shrivastava, the officer who arrested Col Purohit and tortured him physically as well as mentally on the orders of civilian masters should be castrated and pension stopped.