I’m A Soldier Who Loves This Nation: Colonel Purohit After Acquittal In Malegaon Blast Case
Colonel Purohit had been accused in the Malegaon blast that claimed six lives and left over a hundred injured. He spent nearly nine years in prison before being granted bail in 2017.
Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit, who was acquitted today in the 2008 Malegaon blast case after a prolonged legal struggle, made an emotional statement to the media, reiterating his dedication to the country.
“I am a soldier who deeply loves this nation,” Purohit said outside the court premises, adding, “The nation must always be above all and its foundations kept intact.”
Colonel Purohit was one of the accused in the Malegaon blast which took place in 2008, resulting in the deaths of six people and injuries to over a hundred. He was in judicial custody for almost nine years and was granted bail in 2017. The verdict announced today by the special NIA court in Mumbai has cleared him of all allegations.
“I have been wronged by mentally unstable and malicious individuals,” he said, pointing to what he described as a politically driven targeting of members of the armed forces. “Some persons misused their positions of power, and we had to bear the consequences.”
While addressing the judge in the NIA court, Lt Colonel Purohit stated, “I am thankful for being allowed to once again serve my country and my unit with the same commitment I had before I was implicated in this matter. I do not blame any organisation for what happened. Institutions like investigating agencies are not inherently wrong; it is individuals within them who committed wrongdoings. I express my gratitude for reinstating the common man’s faith in the justice system…”
The special NIA court in Mumbai on Thursday acquitted all seven individuals who were accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, citing lack of conclusive evidence. The court noted that the prosecution failed to substantiate the allegations under UAPA and other serious sections.
In its detailed order, the court pointed out contradictions in witness depositions and procedural flaws during the inquiry.
The court said that several technical lapses were found during the course of investigation. “It could not be proven that the blast was executed using only the motorcycle, nor was any credible proof presented to show that Prasad Purohit had stored RDX at his house,” the court observed.
The site panchnama was found to be deficient, and although the chassis number of the motorcycle appeared to match that of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur’s vehicle, that alone did not amount to solid proof, the court said.
Regarding Lt Col Purohit, the court concluded that the evidence was not sufficient to establish his direct involvement or participation in the conspiracy. The ruling highlighted that strong suspicion cannot substitute the legal standard of proof required for conviction in criminal cases of such nature.
Colonel Purohit’s acquittal comes after years of legal twists and developments in one of the country’s most high-profile terror cases.
