Pacheco claims he is innocent
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JULY 3
Stating that he was innocent and had been falsely implicated in the Nadia Torrado death case, former tourism minister, Mickky Pacheco has said that there are no circumstances against him of whatsoever nature to attract charges under Section 304, 306, 309 and 201 of the IPC.
Arguing before the Sessions Court, senior legal counsel, Adv Surendra Desai said Pacheco invited trouble by dashing off a letter to the Chief Minister demanding a judicial probe into the police-drug nexus and the excise scam.
Terming the entire case as political, Adv Desai said that no injuries were spotted during Nadia’s hospitalisation. He argued that if Pacheco wanted to cause Nadia’s death, he would not have gone to the extent of spending Rs 40 lakh as per the Crime Branch estimates by way of medical expenses to save her life. “This amount was spent on hospitals and medical treatment in order to save Nadia’s life”, Adv Desai argued.
He submitted that Pacheco had no intention to abscond or run away from the law. “Pacheco was grilled for nine long hours and had answered all questions. Soon afterwards, he filed for anticipatory bail in the Session Court”, he added.
Saying that none of the Sections are applicable to Pacheco, Adv Desai said that the Crime Branch has laid stress on the destruction of evidence without any basis. “After her body was brought to Goa, Nadia’s blood drenched clothes were burnt behind her house and not in the jungle. Where is the question of any suspicion that evidence has been destroyed by the family?, he asked.
Adv Desai said even offense of abetment to commit suicide is not applicable to Pacheco as the deceased had consumed ratol at her house when he was not present. “How is Pacheco to be blamed if Nadia’s two mobiles have gone missing from her house?, Adv Desai demanded to know.
