Mumbai: Nearly three months after being
hospitalised with brain haemorrhage, Pravin Mahajan, convicted
for murdering his brother and senior BPJ leader Pramod
Mahajan, on Wednesday died in neighbouring Thane.
The end for Pravin (50), who had been on life support
system since December 11 last year, came at 1740 hours due to
multiple organ failure, extensive haemorrhage and sepsis
(infection).
"In the past 48 hours, Pravin`s condition was
continuously deteriorating and his blood pressure was falling
and was using more and more life support measures," Dr
Ravindra Ghawat of Jupiter Hospital told reporters.
"We are seeking advise from the police and jail
authorities as to whether the body should be handed over to
the family or the police after issuance of death certificate,"
Ghawat said.
Pravin, who was released on furlough (special leave),
was admitted to Jupiter Hospital in December last year
following bleeding in the brain. Since then, he had been in
coma and never recovered.
Asked if the state government would foot Pravin`s
medical expenses, Shilpa Tatke, general manager of Jupiter
Hospital said, "we cannot discuss financial matters with the
media. It would be discussed with the family and the
government."
Pravin, who was serving life imprisonment, is survived
by his wife and two children Kapil and Vrushali both of whom
are college students.
On December 18, 2007, a Sessions Court in Mumbai had
convicted Pravin for murdering his brother Pramod and
sentenced him to life imprisonment.
On April 22, 2006, Pravin drove to the Worli residence
of elder brother and prominent BJP leader Pramod Mahajan.
After a brief and tense conversation, Pravin, who was carrying
a licensed revolver, shot at Pramod and then went to police
station where he surrendered.
In November last year, he was released on furlough.
Just when the 14-day leave was about to expire, he complained
of headache and blood pressure and was taken on December 11
night to Jupiter hospital in Thane.
Pravin leaves behind unanswered questions
Pravin Mahajan, who lived with his
wife and two children in a modest apartment in Thane near
here, was an unknown figure until the morning of April 22,
2006 when he shot his brother and prominent BJP leader Pramod.
On that day, Pravin drove to the Worli residence of
elder brother Pramod Mahajan. After a brief, tense
conversation, Pravin (who was carrying a licensed revolver)
shot Pramod and then went to a police station and surrendered.
From that day onwards, Pravin became a national
enigma. Very little was known about him, and about his motive
for killing Pramod, who was then one of the important and
high-profile politicians at the national level.
Pramod passed away 13 days later, on May 3. Pravin was
convicted for the murder by a Mumbai sessions court, and
sentenced to life imprisonment on December 18, 2007.
However, even during the trial the prosecution could
not pinpoint the actual motive. Pravin`s lawyer took the stand
that he did not shoot his brother.
Even in his latest interview after he was released on
furlough from Nashik prison last month, Pravin maintained that
"I did not kill Pramod".
Born to a school teacher, Pravin (50) was the youngest
of the five siblings.
According to his short memoirs `Maza Album` (My
Album), he was keenly interested in his brother`s political
career, but never joined politics.
As an elder brother, it was Pramod who found for
Pravin his bride Sarangi. Pravin settled down in Thane,
working as a consultant.
Apparently, in the last five-six years before
Pramod`s death, their relations began to sour. Evidence
submitted by prosecution during the trial indicated that they
had disputes over financial transactions.
His other brother, Prakash Mahajan, alleged after the
publication of `Maza Album` that Pravin and his family were
living off Pramod`s money.
Though other members of Mahajan family severed ties
with him after the murder, Sarangi stood by him through the
trial and afterwards.
He was released on furlough on November 27. Just when
the 14-day leave was about to expire, he complained of
headache and blood pressure, and was taken on December 11
night to Jupiter hospital in Thane.
He arrived in an unconscious state and was diagnosed
with severe brain haemorrhage. He went into coma from which he
never recovered.
Apart from his wife, he is survived by two
college-going children Kapil and Vrushali.
PTI
