Mickky gets anticipatory bail in casino case

Mickky gets anticipatory bail in casino case
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, SEPT 26
Attempts by the Crime branch to take Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco into custody for interrogation in the casino case have come to a naught for the second time in a week.
The South Goa Sessions court on Saturday granted anticipatory bail to the Tourism Minister, with a direction to the Crime branch to release him on bail bond of Rs 5000 if arrested in the case.
The Crime Branch had asked the Court for custodial interrogation of the minister to conduct further investigations into the altercation case between the applicant and the general manager of the casino on May 29.
The investigative agency submitted to the court that Pacheco along with Mathew Diniz engaged themselves in an altercation with the gaming staff of the casino over betting limits and rates.
As per the Crime branch say filed in the court, the accused Mathew suddenly pushed the complainant against the wall and threatened to kill him, while alleging that Pacheco subsequently threatened to kill him.
The Crime Branch submitted that evidence collected shows the clear involvement of the minister in the crime, adding that the CCTV camera footage of the incident also shows his involvement in the commission of the crime.
Pacheco, in his anticipatory bail application, however said the crime branch officers were trying to involve him again in the complaint after the court granted him bail in the extortion case.
Saying that he is in no way connected or involved in any offence, the minister said he has every reason to believe that the Crime Branch may arrest him under non-bailable offence in order to harass him and put him to shame.