AFT stays retirement of Army officer acquitted in Malegaon blast case

NEW DELHI: The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has directed that the retirement of Colonel Purohit Prasad Shrikant be kept in abeyance until a decision is taken on his statutory complaint seeking consideration for promotion and other service benefits following his acquittal in the 2008 Malegaon blast case.

A Bench comprising AFT Chairperson Justice Rajendra Menon and Administrative Member Rasika Chaube passed the order while hearing a plea filed by the officer seeking promotion to the rank of Colonel and thereafter Brigadier at par with his juniors.

Invoking the jurisdiction of the tribunal under Section 14 of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007, the applicant contended that his promotions were denied while he was facing a criminal trial after his arrest in 2008.

In its order passed on March 16, the AFT recorded that the officer remained under arrest from 2008 and was granted bail by the Supreme Court on August 21, 2017, following which he rejoined duties and has been serving since 2023.