Samjhauta blast case: Lt Col Purohit will be given required documents, says Parrikar

New Delhi: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said the required documents, except the ones that affect the national security or involve another officer's name, will be given to Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit.

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

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) yesterday said that Lieutenant Colonel Purohit was never an accused in the Samjhauta blast case, adding there is no proof against him.

The case is to unravel a criminal conspiracy behind the bomb blasts in the Attari Express (Samjhauta) train near Panipat, Haryana, on February 18, 2007. 68 people were killed in the blast and the consequent fire.

Lieutenant Colonel Purohit is also an accused in the bombing in Malegaon area of Maharashtra on September 29, 2008.

Four people were killed while several others injured in the Malegaon blast. The probe was initially conducted by the Maharashtra ATS and later handed over to the NIA.