Comatose Mahajan may be declared 'absconder'

Reason? He inadvertently broke the conditions of his furlough when he slipped into coma and did not return to jail at the appointed time

Reason? He inadvertently broke the conditions of his furlough when he slipped into coma and did not return to jail at the appointed time

Pravin Mahajan, convicted of murdering his brother, BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, was hospitalised for alleged brain haemorrhage on Friday and is in a comatose state. However, that has not stopped Nashik Central Jail officials from planning to declare him an 'absconder', as he did not keep to the conditions of his furlough and return to jail by 5 pm yesterday.



A senior official from Nashik Central Jail said, "As per the prison manual, they would send wireless messages to alert Thane and Mumbai police commissionerates that Mahajan may jump furlough. However, the Thane police has sent a fax to the Nasik central prison yesterday morning,u00a0 informing them about Mahajan's hospitalisation. Mahajan was a patient of diabetes and hypertension even before he was jailed."

Anil Dhere, Thane Commissioner of Police said, "We have informed the prison officials about Pravin's hospitalisation and are in touch with the attending physician about his health condition. We cannot move him to jail against medical advice, but we have deployed sufficient policemen in and around the hospital so that Pravin does not escape."

Pravin Mahajan's son Kapil, daughter Vrushali and brother-in-law Prasad Puliwar visit him at the hospital on Saturday PIC/Gaurav Kadam

Standard procedure

Meanwhile, jail officials and doctors at Nashik Jail were glued to television sets for news of Mahajan's health condition. The jail officer said, "We will issue a show cause notice to Mahajan on his return to jail (whenever the date may be) seeking explanation for jumping the furlough. If Mahajan sites medical reasons for his absence, our officers and the jail doctor will examine the medical reports."u00a0 Jagan Nath, DIG Prisons (Aurangabad range) said, "The local police have intimated us about Mahajan's location and further course of action in this case will be taken by the Superintendent of Jail (Nashik)."

On death's door

Mahajan was brought to Jupiter Hospital in a critical condition at 10.30 pm on Friday night. Dr Ravi Ghawat, ICU in-charge, said, "Mahajan suffered an extensive pontine hemorrhage (brain hemorrhage). He is currently on life support and is under the observation of a panel of experts including physicians, neurologist, neuro-surgeon, intensivist and a cardiologist. The mortality rate in such cases is 70 per cent." Mahajan's brother Prakash said, "His condition is very critical and all his family members are with him."

The Sena Connection

Unconfirmed reports reveal that Mahajan was with Sanjay Raut, senior Shiv Sena spokesperson at his residence in Thane on Friday night, when he suddenly collapsed. Mahajan was then rushed to a local hospital, from where he was shifted to Jupiter by Raut and his son. Raut told Sunday MiD DAY, "I was with Mahajan, but I do not wish to elaborate on the details of the meeting."

Pramod Mahajan passed away

13 days after this brother shot him. Three of the four bullets that were fired damaged his internal organs. Renowned Liver specialist, Dr Mohamed Rela flew from London to treat him but to no avail