Malegaon blasts accused Purohit to receive access to defence ministry documents

New Delhi: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said the ministry will provide documents to Lt. Col. Prasad Shrikant Purohit, that he needs to defend himself in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case.

Lt Col PS Purohit. Image courtesy: IBNLive

Asked about the case on the sidelines of a Naval Commanders' Conference, the minister said: "The matter is in the court. So, I cannot decide on the merit of the case. But I have told the Army... whatever documents he (Purohit) wants will be given, except ones which affect the national security or involve another officer's name."

"I have told them to give documents he needs for defending himself," Parrikar added.

Lt.Col. Purohit was accused in the Malegaon blast case of 2008.

He was found to be involved with right-wing group Abhinav Bharat, and was arrested in 2008.

Purohit has, however, maintained he had "infiltrated" the Abhinav Bharat to collect intelligence.