Mahajan's case committed to sessions court

Mumbai, Jul 24: A metropolitan court here today committed to a sessions court the case of Pravin Mahajan, who is accused of killing his elder brother and former BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate B L Waghmare transferred the case to a sessions court, as it does not have the power to try serious offences like murder.

Meanwhile, on behalf of Pravin Mahajan, an application was today moved to provide him separate police protection while he would be taken to sessions court for facing the trial and to attend various judicial proceedings.

The metropolitan court noted down the argument and directed the police to take necessary action on it.

Earlier, a copy of the chargesheet filed by the police on July 14 under sections 302 (murder) and 449 (trespass in a house with an intention to kill someone) of the IPC, was handed over to Pravin before when he expressed the court's inability to conduct the trial and, hence, committment of trial to the sessions court.

Pravin also moved a sessions court for bail on July 19.

Additional Sessions Judge Abhay Thipsay had adjourned the hearing till July 29, with directions to police to file their reply and remain present in court during the next hearing.

While moving the bail plea, Pravin Mahajan had contended that since a chargesheet had already been filed against him on July 14 and the investigations completed, he should, therefore, be released on bail.

Pravin Mahajan has been languishing in jail and according to his plea, nothing remained for further investigation. It was his constitutional right to be released on bail, he mentioned.

Pravin Mahajan is at present lodged in the high security ''anda (egg-shaped) cell'' in the Central Prison at Arthur road. He was arrested after he surrendered before the Worli police soon after allegedly shooting Pramod Mahajan at his Worli residence, on April 22. Mr Mahajan succumed to his wounds on May three.

UNI

Related Stories