Mahajan's condition very critical

Mumbai: Doctors at Hinduja hospital where BJP leader Pramod Mahajan was admitted after he was shot at by his brother Pravin Mahajan say that his condition has deteriorated further.

Mahajan is suffering from multiple organ failure. Six members of Mahajan's family have been called inside the ICU for the first time.

Hospital authorities say he is not responding to any treatment.

Mahajan had evolved an acute respiratory distress syndrome on Monday, which doctors now say is becoming more and more difficult to contain.

Mahajan was shot on April 22 and he has been on ventilator and life support ever since. Doctors say the machines that give him support for breathing might have caused his present distress.

All the vital organs are on artificial support system and doctors are only concentrating on controlling his respiratory system and blood pressure.

Mahajan had undergone a Bronchoscopy on Tuesday. Bronchoscopy is used to identify the cause of airway problems, such as bleeding, difficulty in breathing or the inflammation from other lung diseases.

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj visited Mahajan on Wednesday morning. She said, "Doctors are trying for a miracle. His condition continues to be worrisome, but doctors are trying their best to save his life."

Several BJP workers have gathered outside the hospital as have BJP supporters in Maharashtra. Senior BJP leaders including L K Advani, A B Vajpayee, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi are rushing to Mumbai while others

including Jaswant Singh and Shiv Sena President Balasaheb Thackeray visited the hospital this morning.

Advani has suspended his rath yatra in Rajasthan.

Meanwhile, additional security forces have been rushed to Mahajan's house in Thane.

Pravin remanded to judicial custody

Pravin Mahajan was remanded to judicial custody till May 17. The report on his financial transactions is yet to arrive from Hyderabad.

Pravin was earlier in police custody and has been remanded to judicial custody for the first time.

Pravin, who was arrested on April 22, was produced before a magistrate in Bhoiwada court amid tight security.

However, the prosecution is saying that Pravin is not cooperating with the authorities and he needs to be interrogated thoroughly.