2008 Malegaon blast: No bail for Lt Col Prasad Purohit

MUMBAI: A special court on Monday rejected the bail plea of Lt Col Prasad Purohit, a key accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case that killed six and injured several

MUMBAI: A special court on Monday rejected the bail plea of Lt Col Prasad Purohit, a key accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case that killed six and injured several more.

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Purohit had sought bail contending the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had dropped charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act in the case, and the sanction for prosecution under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was defective.

“The court has refused to accept documents brought on record by Purohit. The court said all his contentions will have to be looked into only at the time of trial,” said special public prosecutor Avinash Rasal.

The special court also turned down Purohit’s contention that his activities with regards to forming Abhinav Bharat was part of a covert operation.

Purohit had claimed he had kept his seniors informed about all his activities. The NIA has said in its charge sheet Purohit floated Abhinav Bharat in 2006, even though he was an Army officer, that he and other accused collected funds for it and used it to buy weapons. Purohit, however, denied the agency’s allegations and said he was only discharging duties to gather more intelligence.

Purohit said he told his seniors about Abhinav Bharat, which he said was to be a political party. Purohit heavily relied on documents he called from his court of inquiry and contended they reflect all his activities were reported to his senior . The court rejected Purohit’s contentions, observing they had to be tested during trial and that there is evidence showing his involvement.