Pacheco fails to surface
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JUNE 7
Former Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco continued to elude the Crime Branch sleuths for the third day in succession even as the Goa Police said that his presence is required only for questioning in the Nadia death case.
Crime Branch is investigating the death of Nadia, Pacheco’s close friend, who died almost a fortnight after consuming rat poison.
Sources in the Crime Branch said that the officials continued to look out for the former minister.
Goa Police spokesperson Atmaram Deshpande said that there was no further development in the case today.
“We have questioned Nadia’s family members again today,” Deshpande said.
Asked whether the police have sufficient evidence to implicate Pacheco in the case, Deshpande replied, “It would be known only after his questioning is completed.”
“As of now we need his presence for questioning and only after the end of that we would know about Pacheco’s role in the case,” he stated.
On the former minister’s Officer on Special Duty Lyndon Monteiro’s anticipatory bail plea, Deshpande said “We had called him for questioning and probably because of that he may have applied for anticipatory bail.”
However, Deshpande said that the police have been questioning Pacheco’s close friends and relatives who may have helped him to slip.
When contacted, Monteiro, who was summoned by Crime Branch, said that considering the attitude of police, he has reasons to believe that he may be falsely implicated in the case.
Monteiro has said that except for a professional relationship he shares in the course of employment with Pacheco, he is not concerned with the former minister’s personal aspect and life.
Monteiro said that he was summoned by Crime Branch on June 6, 2010.
“When I tried to find out the reason for calling me at such a short notice, police appeared adamant and rudely stated that I am not supposed to question them and they are not liable to give any reasons,” the application moved before the Session’s judge in Margao reads.
Pleading for anticipatory bail, the OSD has said that he will remain present before the court or before the investigating agency or any court whenever required.
