Bombay High Court on July 20 restored charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) which the lower court had dropped against 11 accused, including Sadhvi Pragyasingh Thakur. Observing that the lower court judge had not applied enough legal mind before dropping the charges, the division bench of Justice B.H. Marlapalle and Justice Anoop Mohta said the application of MCOCA was justified.
On the other hand the Army seems all set to sack Lt-Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit, who was arrested in November 2008 by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in connection with the Malegaon blasts. Sources said the services of Lt-Col Purohit are likely to be terminated in accordance with the recommendation of the court of inquiry against him conducted under the Lucknow-based Central Army Command.