Retired Major General Dhruv Katoch expressed approval of the Armed Forces Tribunal’s ruling to defer Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit’s retirement pending a decision on his plea for promotion and benefits post his acquittal in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. The Tribunal, led by Justice Rajendra Menon and Member Rasika Chaube, granted this order in response to Purohit’s request for promotion to Colonel and subsequently Brigadier, aligning with his peers.
Katoch highlighted the fairness of halting Purohit’s retirement, citing the rigorous trial he endured and his exoneration by civil courts. He criticized the unjust treatment Purohit faced during illegal police custody, emphasizing the irretrievable loss of those years. The retired Major General emphasized the need for a more compassionate approach to Purohit’s situation.
Applauding the Tribunal’s decision, Katoch welcomed the delivery of justice and expressed readiness for any future developments from the judiciary or the Indian Army. The Tribunal’s recent order acknowledged Purohit’s prolonged arrest since 2008, his subsequent bail in 2017, and his reinstatement in 2023 after the Supreme Court’s intervention. Following a 17-year trial, Purohit was acquitted in the Malegaon blast case in 2025.
The AFT recognized Purohit’s entitlement to equal consideration for promotion and service benefits akin to his juniors, signaling a potential rectification of past denials. The Union government and other parties have been summoned to justify why Purohit’s promotion and associated benefits should not be reviewed alongside his peers. The case is scheduled for further proceedings on May 22.
