Says his client has info on SIMI & ISI, police out to silence him

Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit’s lawyer alleged on Wednesday that teams of the CBI and Harayana police had threatened to kill the army officer in an encounter.

Advocate Shrikant Shivade made the allegation in the Shivajinagar court, where Purohit, a prime suspect in the Malegaon blasts, was produced in connection with a cheating case. The trial was conducted by judicial magistrate (first class) G G Italkar.

In the packed courtroom, Shivade asked for some time to speak privately to Purohit. He told the court that the ATS had not allowed his client to meet his family and lawyer, which was his constitutional right.

After the court gave him permission, Shivade spoke to Purohit alone for about 10 minutes. He then told the court that the CBI and Haryana police had interrogated and threatened him. “CBI and Harayan police threatened Purohit that they would take him into custody and kill him in an encounter. If Purohit comes to any harm, the anti-terrorism squad (ATS) should be held responsible,” he said.

He alleged that the ATS was operating on the orders of their “owners”. He said that investigations by the ATS are a part of a major political conspiracy. “Purohit has crucial information against SIMI and ISI, which has irked some anti-national elements. Police want to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against Purohit. This would encourage SIMI and ISI,” he said.

Shivade said that the ATS was planting false approvers in Malegaon blast case. “The ATS has held Captain Navin Joshi who they say would be a witness against Purohit in the Malegaon blast case,” he told the court.

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