Influential people scuttling Nadia probe: CB to SC

Influential people scuttling Nadia probe: CB to SC
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 07
Crime Branch investigating Nadia Torrado death has refused to give details of the probe to the Supreme Court, claiming that “highly influential people in the State” were hampering the investigations.
The 14-page affidavit, a copy of which is available with Herald, reads, “Disclosure of crucial facts available with the investigating agency to the interested person or the petitioner herein at this preliminary stage would hamper and destroy the evidence.”
Crime Branch is investigating into the death of the 28-year-old Nadia who died after consuming ‘ratol’ paste in May 2010. Ex-tourism minister Francisco (Mickky) Pacheco and his close aide Lyndon Monteiro are accused of killing Nadia.
Pacheco had resigned from the cabinet after the case against him was booked by Crime Branch. He remained absconding for over a month before surrendering to South Goa court. Subsequently, he was arrested and later released on bail.
Monteiro was given interim bail by the Apex Court after his bail pleas were rejected by the Sessions Court and Bombay High Court at Goa.
Police Inspector Sunita Sawant claimed that highly influential people in the State were interested in hampering investigations and hence refused to furnish case details. “…It may graciously be pleased to protect the interest of the investigating agency, which is continuing with the investigation by not asking for the details of the probe,” read an extract from the affidavit. The affidavit will be heard at the Supreme Court on Monday along with Monteiro’s anticipatory bail application.
Furthermore, the agency has asked Monteiro’s custodial interrogation to recover Nadia’s two mobile phones, her passport, laptop and the poison paste tube.
Police have till date failed to locate crucial evidences, and are depending on Monteiro’s interrogation to know the truth.
“The petitioner is an influential person. He may use pressure tactics to create fear in the minds of the witnesses. The petitioner may tamper with the evidences since two mobiles, one passport and laptop of the deceased and the empty ratol paste tube are missing,” reads the affidavit.
Police believe that the petitioner is in possession of the information relating to the crucial missing evidences. The police also said that the two alleged accused were absconding earlier and avoided cooperation with the investigation.
Also, that the ex-minister spent some Rs 40-lakh towards the treatment of the deceased victim in Goa, Mumbai and Chennai hospitals.