Pramod Mahajan murder case: IO grilled

Mumbai, Oct 24 (UNI) Mr Santosh Mogare, the investigation officer in the Pramod Mahajan murder case, was today grilled by defence advocate over the seizure of articles from the spot on the day of incident.

Defence Advocate H H Ponda today grilled Mr Santosh Mogare.

Deposing before Additional Sessions Judge S P Davare, the investigating officer admitted that articles at the site of the crime are important. However, he did not feel it necessary to seize the water glass on the dining table.

The witness said a photographer had lifted the glass while taking photographs, and that is why he did not take the glass along with him.

Replying to another query by Mr Ponda, the investigating officer admitted that articles lying scattered at the spot of the crime were important. But, he had not taken along with him the newspapers that were lying scattered.

Mr Mogare said at the time of his arrest, Pravin Mahajan was asked to remove his clothes. These clothes were, however, not taken into custody since, at that time, there were no other clothes for Pravin Mahajan to wear.

Mr Mogare said he had met Pramod Mahajan's widow Rekha Mahajan and her son-in-law Anand Rao at P D Hinduja Hospital on April 22, 2006. However, their statement was not recorded on that day as they were not in a position to give any statement. The officer, however, admitted that he had made some inquiries from Ms Rekha and Mr Rao about the incident at that time. The examination of other witnesses will continue tomorrow.

It may be recalled that on April 22 last year, Pramod Mahajan was shot at allegedly by his younger brother Pravin Mahajan who had later surrendered before the police. Pramod Mahajan had succumbed to the bullet injuries on May 3 at P D Hinduja Hospital.

UNI