Pune: Armed Forces Tribunal Stays Retirement of Col Prasad Purohit, Seeks Review of Promotion After Malegaon Case Acquittal

New Delhi/Pune, 19th March 2026: The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has granted interim relief to Colonel (time scale) Prasad Purohit by directing that his retirement be put on hold until a decision is taken on his statutory complaint seeking promotion and related service benefits. The Army officer was scheduled to retire on March 31.

The order was passed by a bench comprising AFT chairperson Justice Rajendra Menon and administrative member Rasika Chaube while hearing Purohit’s petition seeking consideration for promotion to the rank of Colonel and subsequently Brigadier.

Purohit approached the tribunal under Section 14 of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007. In his plea, he argued that his career progression was affected after he was arrested in 2008 in connection with the Malegaon blast case, which led to him being denied promotions during the period when he was facing criminal trial.

In its order dated March 16, the tribunal issued notices to the Union government and other respondents, seeking their response on why directions should not be issued to consider Purohit for promotion and grant him the service benefits that were extended to his batchmates or juniors during the same period.

The tribunal also observed that, at first glance, the officer appeared to have a valid claim that he was denied opportunities for promotion and related benefits that were granted to his juniors. It further noted that the criminal court’s verdict indicated that his claim of being falsely implicated in the case seemed to have been substantiated.

Sources in the Army explained that officers in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel are typically considered for promotion between 15 and 18 years of service by a promotion board, with roughly 30 to 50 percent being elevated to the rank of Colonel. Those who are not selected usually remain Lieutenant Colonels but may later receive the rank of Colonel (time scale) after completing 26 years of service and maintaining a clean service record.

According to sources, Purohit had completed the required service period earlier but received the Colonel (time scale) rank only after his acquittal, as disciplinary proceedings and a vigilance ban were in place during the trial.

The tribunal has scheduled the next hearing in the matter for May 22.