Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit, acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon blast case last year, has been cleared for promotion to the rank of Brigadier, sources in the Indian Army confirmed on Friday (April 10, 2026).
His scheduled retirement on March 31, 2026, was put on hold by the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), providing him an opportunity for career progression.
The tribunal had earlier stayed his retirement pending a decision on his statutory complaint seeking promotion and service benefits. As per existing norms, Colonels retire at the age of 54, while Brigadiers retire at 56, making Purohit eligible for extended service if promoted.
A suffering that doesn’t end
Commissioned into the Maratha Light Infantry in 1994, Colonel Purohit later joined Military Intelligence in 2005. His promotion was decided by a selection board based on merit. Having been acquitted of all charges, he is now eligible to be considered for promotion on par with his batchmates and may also qualify for further advancement beyond the rank of Brigadier.
