The wife of Praveen Mahajan, who shot at his elder brother Pramod Mahajan injuring him critically, has told the police that her husband was 'reeling under depression' for some days now but police contested this saying Pravin is 'in total control of his faculties'.

Praveen's wife Sarangi told Worli police who visited her Thane residence Saturday night, that her husband was looking disturbed and reeling under depression for some time now but did not share his problems with family members or friends, police sources said.

She also told the police that she tried to find out what troubled Praveen but he never revealed the reason.

• Who is Pravin Mahajan?

When Praveen left the house at 5.30 on Saturday morning, Sarangi said she did not suspect anything foul since this was his usual time to get out of the house for a morning walk. She, however, did not know that Praveen took the car keys along, as well his licensed Browning pistol, sources added.

However, joint commissioner of police Arup Patnaik said, "I don't know who is spreading all this information (about mental instability of Praveen), which have not come on record nor do I give much credence to all these."

"It is a very routine statement that his wife has given," he said. Asked if there was any change in Praveen's behaviour, the police officer said, "He is perfectly ok. He is in total control and command of his faculties".