Colonel (Retd) Shailesh Raikar is a retired officer from the Indian Army, who served in the Maratha Regiment and later held the position of commandant at the Bhonsala Military School in Nashik. He became widely known due to his association with the Malegaon blast case, where he was questioned by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) regarding the school's involvement in training linked to the accused. Although he was not formally charged, the investigation raised concerns about the school's alleged role in radical activities. Raikar later resigned from his position as commandant.

He also supported Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit, another key figure in the case, claiming that Purohit was wrongly implicated and that the charges against him, such as possession of RDX, were false. Raikar has publicly defended Purohit, suggesting that he was framed in the controversial case. Despite his involvement in these high-profile events, Raikar maintains a low public profile outside these controversies​.