Pravin seeks Marathi newspapers, release of car

Mumbai, Apr 29 (UNI) Pravin Mahajan, charged with murderous assault on his elder brother and senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, today sought release of his car for family use and newspapers for himself in police lock-up.

Arrested on April 22 and in police custody since, Pravin, 45, made these oral submissions in a local court where he was produced for remand proceedings.

The court of Additional Metropolitan Magistrate R T Badge, which extended his police remand till May 3 on prosecution plea, directed the Worli police station to provide the accused with newspapers of his choice.

The Judge, however, did not pass any order on Pravin's request for release of his car and instead directed him to submit a proper application for it.

Pravin drove up over 30 km to the Worli (Mumbai) residence of his 56-year-old brother on April 22 from his home in neighbouring Thane district, allegedly commited the offence, hired a cab and gave himself up along with the small firearm to police at nearby Worli police station.

Dressed in white kurta and pajama, unshaved Pravin addressed the court in English while requesting for release of the car, saying his family needs it. He also addressed his request for newspapers in Marathi, saying he need to know about what is being published about the case.

Pointing to his submission in English, Special Public Prosecutor Shrikant Bhatt informed the court that it indicates that the accused is mentally sound. To this, defence counsel A N Rajulkar replied his client can address the court in five languages. Subsequent to this exchange between the two lawyers, Pravin made his second oral submission for newspapers in Marathi.

UNI XR-SA VJ ND1804