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The ban, a routine order which came the day the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) took him into custody for questioning, would be enforced till the time the probe is completed and a report, either indicting Purohit or exonerating him in the case, is submitted, Army sources said in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Till the time a competent court of law acquits him in the case, the ban would continue, but Purohit would be entitled to his emoluments and also retain official accommodation till then.
Purohit, a Military Intelligence officer, was last studying a couple of foreign languages in the Army Education Corps school at Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh, from where he was sent into ATS custody by the Army for questioning with regard to his alleged role in the September 29 Malegaon blasts that claimed about half-a-dozen Muslim lives.
Meanwhile, as announced by Defence Minister A K Antony recently, the Army also began an internal scrutiny of Purohit’s service to determine if the record matched with unsolved incidents that may come to light and if he misused his military postings to help the main accused in the Malegaon case, sources said.
The service record was being checked to see if any arms, ammunition or explosives went missing or were stolen at a unit when he was posted there, sources added.
Also, the Army was questioning his colleagues, who served alongside him at different postings as a Liaison Unit (LU) officer, including at Nashik.
In particular, the Army was interested in finding out when and where Purohit came in contact with one of the accused retired Major Ramesh Upadhyaya, in the case, the sources said.
The Army, in a departure from tradition, was also scrutinising Purohit's leave schedules during his service and has shared the leave records with the ATS, the sources added.
ATS probing Army link with Thane blast accused
The Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) is probing the possible links of serving army officer Prasad Purohit, arrested in the Malegaon blast case, with right wing activists responsible for carrying out blasts at theatres in Navi Mumbai and Thane earlier this year.
The investigating agency is probing the link between Purohit, arrested in connection with the September 29 Malegaon blasts, and members of right wing groups of Sanathan Sanstha and Hindu Janjagruti Samiti who were responsible for carrying out blasts at three theatres.
Six persons have been chargesheeted by the ATS for their involvement in carrying out the blasts at theatres in Thane and Vashi to protest against the staging of a play which they alleged offended Hindu sentiments. The group had assembled crude bombs which where placed at both venues.
The CBI is also probing at the possibility of Purohit being involved in earlier cases like the 2006 Nanded blast. A Nashik magistrate's court yesterday permitted the transfer of one of the nine arrested in the Malegaon blast case, Rakesh Dhawade, to the Aurangabad ATS following evidence being found of his involvement in the Nanded and 2004 Jalna blast.
The ATS has also sought permission to interrogate a leader from Uttar Pradesh in connection with the Malegaon blast case and was been granted permission by the Nasik court.
The name of the leader was not disclosed and the permission of the court had been taken to ensure the co-operation of the government machinery there, ATS officials said.
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Editor sir, Now it has proved that it was BJP behind so many blasts in the country in last so many years including attack on parliament and we hindus were unnecessarily doubting SIMI and afjal guru and gilani. Now all hindus should stand up and kill one by one all leaders of BJP, RSS, and VHP. Earlier I was fan of BJP now I have started hating it after such a big scam and discloure by ATS. All indians especially hindus should cooperate and appreciate the job of ATS, Maha govt, Congress and most importantly media which has painstackingly worked to expose BJP and hindu terrorists. Now it is also evidently clear that it is not madrsas but it is ashram and mutt behind terrorists camps and govt must sieze all of them including Trupati and Amarnath. It is heard that Tirupati temple gets lots of donation and money govt should sieze whole money.
Editor sir,Now it has proved that it was BJP behind so many blasts in the country in last somany years including attack on parliament and we hindus were unnecessarily doubting SIMI and afjal guru and gilani. Now all hindus should stand up and kill one by one all leaders of BJP, RSS, and VHP. Earlier I was fan of BJP now I have started hating it after such a big scam and discloure by ATS.All indians especially hindus should cooperate and appreciate the job of ATS, Maha govt, Congress and most importantly media which has painstackingly worked to expose BJP and hindu terrorists. Now it is also evidently clear that it is not madrsas but it is ashram and mutt behind terrorists camps and govt must sieze all of them including Trupati and Amarnath. And finally kill all hindus if they dont agree to convert in islam or cristianity. Thaks media
Mr. Shrikant Purohit is innocent till proven guilty by a court of law.Criminals like Laloos, Mulayams and Shahabuddins, M AA Kazmi can be respected politicians despite hundreds of police cases against them. But a poor man is being victimized for being a Hindu. Wah re India. Shame on youMauja Singh from Canada
I am really surprised to see some of the comments posted on this article. I am tempted to think that these have been posted by people from the extreme right wing who have the ability to politicise just about anything.Naturally I am tempted to think that Lt. Col. Purohit is innocent. I think people should show some restraint and patience rather than posting heaps of rubbish. If he is clean then he will come clean. But if he is not then it is a major injustice to the society and any attempt to ignore this would be catastrphic as this needs to be nipped in the bud. We can not afford to have an non secular army.
The whole Malegaon episode smacks of a conspiracy to destabilize India with ramifications in all sections of society including army. The UPA government is playing with fire. It has turned India into burning inferno at the beginning of 21st century creating social unrest throughout India. Is this progress or development of India? Indians need to think and act to reclaim nation that reflects Hindu culture, civilization and ethos.
ATS was never seen to be so samrt against Maoists, Naxalites, Jehadis, Kashmiris or ULFA. Suddenly they have become so smart that they know every little details against these Saffron Terrorists. Keep it up boys.
ATS was never seen to be so samrt against Maoists, Naxalites, Jehadis, Kashmiris or ULFA. Suddenly the have become so smart that they know every little details against these Saffron Terrorists. Keep it up boys.
Congress is playing dirty games.
Expressing one,s view with in the ambit of constitution should be respected,Whether in army , Navy, air force or any where. Govt should not make use of power to chase the politics of vote bank or leading country to anarchy.
The Army should take this case as a wakeup call. Right from the SSB which selected Lt Col Purohit, his antecedants needs to be checked. Surely there are other Senior officers, who looked the other way or the Army Int or LU which has been sleeping they all need to be under the scanner. Specially the Commanding Officer of this Lt Col he has no track of what the officers under him are doing.
I think the ATS probe is heading towards a wild goose chase. In the process they are maliging the Army and a range of other leaders. Police or Media haev no right to malign a prestegious institute like Army. This is not only hurting the prestige of Army, it can also lead to a situation where our trouble making neighbors can raise serious questions on the Kashmir issue and way Army has been trying to maintain peace there.