11-06-2008, 03:22 PM
This is perhaps the first time that a High ranking Army Officer has been arrested for his alleged links with a terrorist organisation.The latest development:-
Quote
Armyman in blast net
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Mumbai, Nov. 5: A serving officer of the rank of lieutenant colonel was today arrested on the charge of being part of the conspiracy behind Septemberâs Malegaon blast, sending shockwaves through the defence establishment.
Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit, who was once part of the military intelligence set-up, was produced before chief judicial magistrate K.D. Boche in Nashik this afternoon. Boche remanded him in police custody till November 15.
The total number of arrests in the case has risen to nine, including Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Major (retd) Ramesh Upadhyay.
Public prosecutor Ajay Misar told the court the officer had allegedly sent five text messages to Upadhyay, founder of the Pune-based radical outfit Abhinav Bharat, after the probe zoomed in on the sadhvi and right-wing Hindu groups.
Sources said the anti-terrorist squad had traced text messages â like âThe cat is out of the bagâ, âSingh has sungâ (referring to Shivnarain Singh Kalsangram, who was arrested along with the sadhvi), âWe are on the radar of the ATSâ, and âChange the Sim cardââ to Purohitâs phone.
Arguing for police custody, Misar said a high-ranking army officer could have access to explosives stored in military depots, and hence the ATS wished to interrogate him for more information.
The prosecution also alleged that Purohit had carried out money transfers in six to seven cities, and is suspected to have used the hawala route.
Unquote
If the charges are proved to be true it isa very serious development.However,in case it is found to be totally unfounded, the investigators should be taken to task.Anyway, this stray incident caused by an individual even if proved to be true should not be held as something against the institution of the Army itself.The situation is rightly summed up by this HT report:-
Quote
Rahul Singh
Email Author
November 06, 2008
First Published: 02:40 IST(6/11/2008)
Last Updated: 02:41 IST(6/11/2008)
Not a verdict on soldierâs honourIt is certainly alarming when a soldier trained to die for his country gets arrested on charges of terrorism. Yet the first ever arrest of a serving army officer in the Malegaon blasts case cannot be regarded as a taint on the military as a whole.
Lt Col Srikant Purohitâs alleged involvement in the Malegaon blasts is at worst an embarrassing aberration. It does not compromise the honour of our 1.13 million-strong fighting force.
âItâs a matter of serious concern. But the very fact that this is the first such case in the militaryâs history establishes the credibility of our rigorous selection system,â said a senior officer at army headquarters, requesting anonymity. âIt is unrealistic to expect the army to have control over the psyche of individuals.â
There have been several instances of army officers being involved in offences such as espionage, sex abuse, arms smuggling and corruption. But the terror charge is the most shameful for an organisation that values the traditions of loyalty, discipline and sacrifice. âThe officer does not stand for the entire army,â said former army chief General V.P. Malik. But significantly, he added: âThis unsavory episode should set alarm bells ringing.â
A hardcore infantry officer, Purohit learnt his trade at the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla. Sources said he was commissioned in the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles before switching to military intelligence.
Army headquarters sources said the force was willing to share Purohitâs service dossier with the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, if such a request was made, to help the progress of investigations. âIf thereâs muck around, we too want it cleared. But investigators should not jump to hasty conclusions,â said one of them.
For a force that prides itself on being apolitical, it is however, disconcerting to find a member having links with right-wing terror.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Pr...b2-fb0f19699ee4
© Copyright 2007 Hindustan Times
Unquote
Quote
Armyman in blast net
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Mumbai, Nov. 5: A serving officer of the rank of lieutenant colonel was today arrested on the charge of being part of the conspiracy behind Septemberâs Malegaon blast, sending shockwaves through the defence establishment.
Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit, who was once part of the military intelligence set-up, was produced before chief judicial magistrate K.D. Boche in Nashik this afternoon. Boche remanded him in police custody till November 15.
The total number of arrests in the case has risen to nine, including Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Major (retd) Ramesh Upadhyay.
Public prosecutor Ajay Misar told the court the officer had allegedly sent five text messages to Upadhyay, founder of the Pune-based radical outfit Abhinav Bharat, after the probe zoomed in on the sadhvi and right-wing Hindu groups.
Sources said the anti-terrorist squad had traced text messages â like âThe cat is out of the bagâ, âSingh has sungâ (referring to Shivnarain Singh Kalsangram, who was arrested along with the sadhvi), âWe are on the radar of the ATSâ, and âChange the Sim cardââ to Purohitâs phone.
Arguing for police custody, Misar said a high-ranking army officer could have access to explosives stored in military depots, and hence the ATS wished to interrogate him for more information.
The prosecution also alleged that Purohit had carried out money transfers in six to seven cities, and is suspected to have used the hawala route.
Unquote
If the charges are proved to be true it isa very serious development.However,in case it is found to be totally unfounded, the investigators should be taken to task.Anyway, this stray incident caused by an individual even if proved to be true should not be held as something against the institution of the Army itself.The situation is rightly summed up by this HT report:-
Quote
Rahul Singh
Email Author
November 06, 2008
First Published: 02:40 IST(6/11/2008)
Last Updated: 02:41 IST(6/11/2008)
Not a verdict on soldierâs honourIt is certainly alarming when a soldier trained to die for his country gets arrested on charges of terrorism. Yet the first ever arrest of a serving army officer in the Malegaon blasts case cannot be regarded as a taint on the military as a whole.
Lt Col Srikant Purohitâs alleged involvement in the Malegaon blasts is at worst an embarrassing aberration. It does not compromise the honour of our 1.13 million-strong fighting force.
âItâs a matter of serious concern. But the very fact that this is the first such case in the militaryâs history establishes the credibility of our rigorous selection system,â said a senior officer at army headquarters, requesting anonymity. âIt is unrealistic to expect the army to have control over the psyche of individuals.â
There have been several instances of army officers being involved in offences such as espionage, sex abuse, arms smuggling and corruption. But the terror charge is the most shameful for an organisation that values the traditions of loyalty, discipline and sacrifice. âThe officer does not stand for the entire army,â said former army chief General V.P. Malik. But significantly, he added: âThis unsavory episode should set alarm bells ringing.â
A hardcore infantry officer, Purohit learnt his trade at the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla. Sources said he was commissioned in the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles before switching to military intelligence.
Army headquarters sources said the force was willing to share Purohitâs service dossier with the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, if such a request was made, to help the progress of investigations. âIf thereâs muck around, we too want it cleared. But investigators should not jump to hasty conclusions,â said one of them.
For a force that prides itself on being apolitical, it is however, disconcerting to find a member having links with right-wing terror.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Pr...b2-fb0f19699ee4
© Copyright 2007 Hindustan Times
Unquote