PUNE: Seventeen years after being accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, Lt Col Prasad Purohit has called the terror charges against him “deeply painful” and “unfortunate,” following his acquittal by the Special NIA Court on Thursday.
Currently posted at the Army’s Maharashtra-Gujarat-Goa Area HQ in Mumbai, Purohit told TOI that he had never acted against the nation and remained proud of his service to the country.
“How can a serving army officer, who has given his life to protecting the nation, be accused of terrorism?” he asked.
Years Lost in Custody
Purohit was arrested in 2008 and spent nearly nine years in prison before being granted bail on August 23, 2017. Recalling those years, he said he had lost the most crucial period of his active Army career.
“I faced struggles on every front — personal, professional, social. My wife and two sons also suffered. These years can never be reclaimed,” he said.
Despite the long ordeal, Purohit said he never lost faith in the judiciary, calling the verdict a validation of his innocence.
A Decorated Officer’s Resolve
Regarded as a highly decorated officer in the Corps of Military Intelligence, Purohit has served in several operations, especially in India’s northern sector. Known for his motivational lectures and historical knowledge, he now hopes to serve the rest of his Army tenure with honour and pride.
“I will continue my duty to the Corps and the nation, just as I always have,” he affirmed.
A Family’s Ordeal
Purohit reserved his deepest gratitude for his wife, Aparna, whom he credited as his strongest support system.
“She not only fought the legal battle but also protected and raised our children. Her strength gave me the courage to survive these years,” he said.
Aparna, visibly emotional, called the verdict the end of a long and painful journey.
“These nine years were filled with pain and uncertainty. Today, justice has wiped away years of doubt. I always believed in his innocence,” she said.
The verdict marks a turning point not just in the high-profile case, but also in the personal journey of a family that endured years of stigma, separation, and struggle — now finally vindicated in court.
