It also suspected foul play in the government’s failure to execute the warrant of arrest issued by the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) against Pacheco, a fortnight ago.
Addressing the press, Congress spokesperson Yatish Naik said that the home department’s failure to trace the whereabouts of Pacheco clearly indicated either an ulterior motive behind the entire episode or a complete failure of the government machinery.
“There could be two possibilities behind not being able to trace (the) former minister: a complete collapse of government machinery or there is some ulterior motive of the government in ensuring that the arrest warrant is not executed,” said Naik.
He added, “The entire episode has brought major embarrassment to (the) State.”
On Wednesday, the JMFC issued a fresh arrest warrant against Pacheco, who was convicted by the Supreme Court for slapping a government servant while on duty in 2006. Pacheco filed a revision petition before the Apex Court seeking time to surrender. When asked about the JMFC’s warrant to search Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s official residence in New Delhi, Naik said, “The order must have come considering the seriousness of the case.”
