New Delhi: In a major relief for Col Shrikant Purohit, who was acquitted of all charges in the 2008 Malegaon case, the principal bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has kept his scheduled retirement in abeyance.
Col Purohit had approached the bench with the plea that an otherwise unblemished service of over 20 years would end adversely if he is made to retire without due consideration for promotion. He was due to retire on March 31, 2026.
The officer sought a stay on his retirement until his statutory complaint is decided or his case for promotion is considered on a par with his juniors. Even after excellent ACRs earned by Col Purohit, his case for promotion was not considered, it was argued by his counsel.
The bench, comprising Justice Rajendra Menon and Chairperson Rasika Chaube, heard the matter and directed that Col Purohit’s retirement be put on hold until the Army decides his pending statutory complaint seeking due promotion, as reported by The Tribune.
“We direct that till a decision on the statutory complaint, the applicant’s retirement shall be kept in abeyance,” the AFT ordered.
The colonel has argued that he is entitled to promotion to the rank of Brigadier on a par with his juniors who were elevated while he was facing a criminal trial. If promoted to Brigadier, he would be eligible to serve until March 31, 2028.
Col Purohit was arrested in 2008 and granted bail by the Supreme Court in August 2017, after which he was allowed to resume duties. The trial continued before a special NIA court in Mumbai, which acquitted him on July 31, 2025.
Following his acquittal, an otherwise unblemished service of over 20 years would end adversely if he is made to retire without due consideration for promotion, the officer contended, seeking a stay on his retirement.
The matter is now listed for May 22.
