The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain the petition filed by Lt Col Srikant Prasad Purohit seeking a SIT probe in the Malegaon Blast case.
According to a Bar and Bench report, the apex court also said that it did not consider it appropriate to interfere in the case.
The Apex Court asked him to approach the trial court, news agency ANI reported.
In another blow, the Bombay HC refused to stay charge framing against Lt Col Prasad Purohit and others scheduled in special NIA court tomorrow.
HC also said that matter pertaining to the validity of Sanction for prosecution against Lt Col Purohit under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is to be decided by trial court.
On August 30, a trial court in Mumbai rejected the plea of Lt Col Purohit, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, seeking deferring of framing of charges against him until the Bombay High Court decides his application.
On December 18, 2017, the Bombay High Court had refused to quash the sanction for Purohit’s prosecution.
Purohit then moved the Supreme Court, which asked him to move the high court again. His fresh plea is now pending before the high court.
Purohit being a serving Army officer, a prior sanction for his prosecution was required.
Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Home Department had granted the sanction on January 17, 2009.
Six people were killed and nearly 100 injured when a bomb strapped to a motorcycle went off at Malegaon, a town in Nashik district of Maharashtra, on September 29, 2008.
Twelve people, including Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Purohit were arrested in connection with the blast in the town which has a sizable Muslim population.
