A sessions court on Friday deferred till September 8 the trial of Pravin Mahajan, who is facing charges of killing his elder brother and Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Pramod Mahajan.

Pravin was not produced before the court, but his wife Sarangi was present.

As Pravin was not produced, the court adjourned the matter to September 8.

Earlier, Pravin had sought time to engage a lawyer and the matter was posted for hearing on Friday.

Pravin was arrested on April 22 after he surrendered to Worli police saying he had shot his elder brother. A profusely bleeding Pramod Mahajan was rushed to Hinduja hospital where he died on May 3.

Police had filed chargesheet before a magistrate on July 14 after investigations concluded and the case was committed to the sessions court for trial.

The 650-page chargesheet contains statements of Pravin and 58 witnesses including Rekha Mahajan, widow of Pramod Mahajan.

Pravin has been charged under Sections 302 (murder) and 449 (house trespass) of the Indian Penal Code.

On August 1, the sessions court had rejected Pravin's plea for bail. Pravin is lodged in central prison and is allowed to read newspapers in jail and undertake physical exercises to keep his blood pressure and diabetes under control.