17 years of silence and struggle: Lt Col Purohit calls terror charges 'painful and unfortunate'
Malegaon bomb blast
, which occurred in 2008 in Malegaon town of Nashik district.
Lt. Col. Purohit, currently stationed at the Army unit in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa Area in Mumbai, expressed his confidence in the verdict, saying, "I had not done anything against my nation and its people. There is nothing above the nation."
"How can a serving army officer, who has sacrificed so much and proudly served in the security of the nation, be involved in acts of terrorism?"He questioned.
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Col Purohit was released on bail on August 23, 2017, after spending nearly nine years in prison.
He said, "I have suffered incarceration for all these years and lost a very crucial and 'cream period' of my active service. I have faced difficulties on multiple fronts—personal, professional, family, friendships, and societal. What was more painful was that my wife, children (two sons), and family members also endured these painful years, which can never be recovered."
He shared these sentiments emotionally, acknowledging his service and contributions to the Corps of Military Intelligence in the Indian Army.
Talking about his long legal battle, he said, "I had to fight for my justice to prove that I was never involved in this act. The journey was extremely long and unbearable. However, I had complete faith in the Indian judiciary, and today's verdict is a testament to it."
Col Purohit has an impeccable record in the Corps and is regarded as a decorated and highly motivated intelligence officer who has actively participated in several operations in the Northern sector.
He is also known for his motivational speaking and extensive knowledge of history.
"I will serve proudly in the Corps and fulfil my duty with pride and honour in the remaining years of my service," he added.
Purohit credited his wife, Aparna, as his strongest pillar of support, saying, "She not only handled my case but also took care of the family and children. I couldn't ask for more from her. She stood like a rock solid all these years and shielded me from any additional problems.
Without her, I probably wouldn't have faced the case as strongly as I did."
An emotional Aparna described the verdict as the "end of a painful journey."
"Those years are lost to us, but this verdict has given us the most precious moment we have been waiting for. It clears all doubts and suspicions that some people had about him and us. I can't express how challenging it has been to recall even a single day of those nine years," she said.
"I had confidence in him, and I knew he hadn't done anything wrong for the country and its people. He is a highly moralistic and patriotic person who would never harm the innocent," she added.
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