Money the motive behind Mahajan's murder: Prosecution

Money was the motive behind Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pramod Mahajan's murder as the accused, his brother Pravin, wanted to start a transport business, the prosecution told the court on Monday.

"The demands were being made by Pravin Mahajan from 2004 and the threat SMS was the last blow," Special Public Prosecutor Niteen Pradhan argued.

Pradhan had earlier told the court that the defence had not disapproved its claim that Pramod's mobile phone had not been tampered with.

Pramod Mahajan was allegedly shot by his younger brother Pravin on April 22 last year. The BJP leader succumbed to his injuries 12 days later at a city hospital.

According to the prosecution's case, Pravin had sent the threatening SMS to Pramod a few days prior to the incident.

Pradhan also asked the court to consider Pramod's statement to his brother-in-law Gopinath Munde, while being taken to Hinduja hospital, as a dying declaration.

"What have I done that Pravin fired bullets at me," Pramod had reportedly told Munde.

While the prosecution has concluded arguments today, defence lawyer Harshad Ponda will commence his arguments before the court of Additional Sessions Judge S P Davare on Tuesday.