PANJIM: With the Margao judicial magistrate’s seven-day deadline to Colva police, to arrest Goa Vikas Party supremo Francisco (Mickky) Pacheco ending Thursday, the ex-minister from the Laxmikant Parsekar cabinet is camping in New Delhi to see the outcome of his review petition which is scheduled to come up for hearing before the Supreme Court.
“His review plea before the SC bench is expected to be heard on Thursday or latest by Friday,” a source close to the former minister told Herald.
Pacheco has been in touch with his legal team with his close friends claiming he is not escaping from the law. “If the matter is adjourned, he has some breathing space. But if the SC bench announces its verdict on the very same day and denies him relief, Pacheco is ready to face the law,” the source said.
On April 9, the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Margao, had directed the Colva police to issue a non-bailable arrest warrant against the Nuvem MLA in connection with his conviction for assaulting Junior Electricity Engineer Kapil Natekar while on duty, in 2006. The apex court had last month dismissed his special leave application and upheld the High Court’s order to undergo six-month imprisonment for the criminal offence.
Meanwhile, Goa Police’s special team, which is also camping in Delhi, is keeping an eye on Pacheco’s movements. The five-member team is ready to take him into custody once he surrenders. “However, if he fails to do so or flees, we will file a report in the local court declaring him an absconder,” a senior IPS officer disclosed.
However, Pacheco’s close friends argue that he isn’t fleeing anywhere, as the authorities are aware about his whereabouts.
“There is nothing to hide. It is known to everyone that he filed a revision petition, soon after the SC order on March 30, and is yet to be heard. Let the court decide on his application,” the source claimed.
