17 Mar : The Army is likely to approach the special MCOCA court in Mumbai on Tuesday seeking custody of Lt Col Prasad Purohit, prime accused in the September 2008 Malegaon blast case to initiate proceedings against him.
"The Army is likely to file application tomorrow before the special MCOCA court seeking Purohit’s custody," special public prosecutor Rohini Salian told the news agency on Monday.
According to sources, the inquiry would be presided over by a Brigadier-level officer and the court would comprise four to five officers, all of rank senior to Purohit.The inquiry, expected to last around one-and-a-half months, would include deposition of witnesses and some of Purohit’s former associates, the sources said.
The findings of the inquiry, which is basically a fact-finding process, may lead to a decision to institute a court-martial, the sources said.Depending on the gravity of charges, the court-martial would decide on the quantum of punishment, they added.