Soon after the verdict, celebrations broke out outside Lt Colonel Purohit's residence, where supporters burst firecrackers and distributed sweets to mark the court's decision.
Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit, acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, received a grand welcome upon his return to Pune. Supporters celebrated his acquittal after a special court noted a lack of reliable evidence against him.
The agency has booked 23 Army personnel and civilians, including relatives of officers, for allegedly demanding bribe and facilitating bribery, they said.
The arrest of Hindu activists in connection with the Malegaon blast has put several investigating agencies on rewind mode. If the revelations by Lieutenant Colonel Srikant Purohit are to be believed then several bomb blasts in the country need to be reinvestigated.
The laptop, handed over by the Army after a week of Purohit's arrest, was examined at a forensic laboratory during which, the probe agencies, claimed that he was often visiting anti-Muslim and jihadi websites, sources attached with the investigations said. But, the investigators did not get details about the composition about the saffron outfit -- Abhinav Bharat -- whose cadres are alleged to be behind the blast in Malegaon on September 29 which they were looking for.
In a state of trance, Pandey reveals that while working for the Indian Air Force, he got in touch with Purohit who was in the military intelligence at that time.
Lt Col Purohit, it is now being reported quoting statements made by officers in the court of inquiry, had actually infiltrated Hindu radical outfit Abhinav Bharat while being posted at Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh to snoop in on plans to carry out terror strikes in India.
However, the Pune ATS moved an application seeking the army officer's custody in another case registered with them. Purohit was arrested earlier this month in connection with the September 29 Malegaon blast that killed six and injured 80. He is among ten, including sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, arrested for their alleged role in the blast.
Suspense over the identity of the leader of a National Security Guards (NSG) team which had shot dead a terrorist at Hotel Oberoi on November 26 last year got over with NSG informing police on Wednesday that he was Lt Col R K Sharma.
Lt Colonel E K Niranjan was undertaking a mopping up and render safe procedure on the encounter spot when a blast occurred and splinters and sharpnels hit the officer fatally.
Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Olympic Gold Medallist Abhinav Bindra will don the olive green uniform of the Army on Tuesday along with a combat specialist Deepak Annaji Rao, who is being conferred with the honorary rank of major.
Lt Col R Mittal was tried on six charges under provisions of Sections 52 and 63 of the Army Act for intent to defraud and acts prejudicial to good order and military discipline, Army sources said on Wednesday.
His body will be taken to his native village in Kerala's Palakkad district later in the day for cremation.
Army officer Lt Col Prasad Purohit, arrested for his alleged involvement in the Malegaon blast, was on Wednesday remanded to police custody till November 29 by a court in Nashik in connection with a case of procuring an arms license using fake documents
The Supreme Court has questioned the 'arbitrariness' in the consideration of 'criteria appointment' for Short Service Commission (SSC) women Army officers seeking permanent commission, compared to their male counterparts. The court is hearing a plea from women officers challenging the denial of permanent commission.
Lieutenant Colonel, MS Dhoni arrived in Jammu to visit forward areas to familiarise himself with the conditions in which the troops of the Indian army and the Territorial Army, operate in Jammu and Kashmir.
The court found Lt Col (Retd) Kandasamy Ramarajan guilty of murdering Dilshan, a local slum boy who strayed into the army officers quarters to pluck mangoes and awarded life term. It also found him guilty of destruction of evidence, especially concealing the service pistol and possession of illegal firearm and awarded another three years rigorous imprisonment. Both terms will run concurrently.
The two-and-a-half-year-old Belgian Malinois dog and his handler have been recommended for bravery decoration by the NSG headquarters for displaying 'raw courage and dedication to duty' in the face of extreme threat and danger.
Admiral Prakash, who has been settled in Goa since his retirement, said SIR forms should be revised if they are not "evoking" the required information.
'Robert Duvall's passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love for characters, a great meal, and holding court.'
The Indian Army's military police and quick response team escorted Colonel Purohit out of the jail.
The Army conducted a flag march in violence-hit West Karbi Anglong district of Assam to help maintain law and order after clashes between Karbi and Bihari communities. Two people were killed and over 70 injured in the violence.
At least 60 people are said to have gone missing, but the number is likely higher, as many had gathered for the Har Dudh fair in Dharali village when the tragedy struck.
The National Investigation Agency on Tuesday said there was no proof against Lt Col Prasad Purohit in the Samjhauta blast case.
A pillar had encroached on a storm water drain at Doddabommassandra near Vidyaranyapura and officials had marked the portion for demolition.
According to a report, Lt Col Avnish Bajpai had lost his limb in a grenade blast during field firing in Punjab in 2007.
The apex court said it has imposed certain conditions on Purohit while granting bail.
A truck accident in Arunachal Pradesh has resulted in the deaths of 18 labourers from Assam. The truck, carrying 22 workers, fell into a gorge in a remote area. Rescue operations are underway to find the missing.
The high court said he has a choice to make and asked him to delete his FB account as the policy to ban the use of social networking platforms for army personnel was taken keeping in view the security of the nation.
The 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, spanning nearly 17 years, was marked by changes in investigating agencies and five different judges, contributing to significant delays, according to victims and accused.
He came under the radar after large sums of money were transferred into his account.
Among other grounds for seeking discharge, Purohit had claimed lack of sanction under relevant provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure to prosecute him.
A special court, in its acquittal order in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, has highlighted a running battle between the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), pointing out stark contradictions in their probe.
A special court acquitting seven persons in the 2008 Malegaon blast case has raised serious concerns over allegations of torture and illegal detention by Maharashtra ATS officers. The court noted that witnesses claimed their statements were taken under coercion.
The Bombay High Court has issued notices to those acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, following an appeal by victims' families, raising questions about the investigation and seeking convictions.
A special court acquitted seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, citing a lack of cogent and reliable evidence. The court emphasized that mere suspicion cannot replace real proof and highlighted loopholes in the prosecution's case.
An organisation that helped the families of victims in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, has expressed displeasure over the acquittal of seven accused and sought to know if they were not involved in the incident, then who were responsible for it.
Family members of victims of the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast have challenged the acquittal of the accused, including Pragya Singh Thakur and Prasad Purohit, in the Bombay High Court, citing faulty investigation and the nature of conspiracy.
The proscribed ULFA(I) claimed drone and missile attacks on its camps along the Myanmar border by the Indian Army, resulting in casualties. The Indian Army has not confirmed the incident. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma denied state police involvement.
The Lt Colonel Shrikant Purohit case has taken a pretty interesting turn. The claim of the suspected mastermind of 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing and other terror cases that he was not one of the terrorists but an infiltrator on a military intelligence operation has certainly raised eyebrows.
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