Malegaon blasts case: SC reserves order on bail plea of Colonel Shrikant Purohit

Purohit had moved the apex court challenging the Bombay High Court's order dismissing his bail plea.

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on the bail plea of former Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Purohit accused in 2008 Malegaon blasts case.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) opposed the bail of Col Shrikant Purohit and argues that the Bombay High court order should be upheld by the Apex court, reports ANI.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Harish Salve is arguing for the accused, pleaded interim bail for his client. Salve said: "For the interest of justice, give interim bail" to Col Purohit.

Purohit had moved the apex court challenging the Bombay High Court's order dismissing his bail plea. But the Apex court said that the issue of granting bail to former Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit and cancellation of bail of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur needed detailed consideration.

Nisar Ahmed Haji Sayed Bilal, the father of one of the blast victims, had challenged the Bombay High Court order granting bail to Thakur alleging that she was a "powerful person" and could influence the witnesses in the case.

The apex court had on May 5 also sought a response from the NIA and the Maharashtra government on the plea of Purohit seeking bail.

(With agency inputs)