A Special NIA Court in Mumbai, has rejected the bail application of Colonel Shrikant Purohit, a prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case. The order was passed by Special Judge S D Tekale.
Purohit had sought bail on the ground that sanction for prosecution obtained under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was defective; adding that he had not played any role in the blast. Purohit added that he has been in jail for the last seven years without trial.
Lt Col Purohit has maintained that he was assigned to infiltrate various terror organisations. He added that his superiors in military intelligence were constantly in the loop about his actions.
NIA, on the other hand had objected to his bail plea saying that these arguments should be taken into consideration during the trial. The chargesheet filed by National Investigation Agency in May this year says that Purohit had formed a pro-Hindu group Abhinav Bharat and hatched the plan for Malegaon blasts. The chargesheet adds that Purohit had flouted service rules and held meetings where he spoke about forming a Hindu nation.
At least six people were killed and about 100 were injured in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blasts.