Crime Branch quizzes Pacheco’s wife in Nadia death case

A file picture of Fransisco Pacheco who resigned from the ministership in Goa. Photo: Special Arrangement.

The wife of Fransisco Pacheco was questioned by the Crime Branch on Saturday in connection with the death of his woman friend even as the former Goa minister and his close aide Lyndon Monteiro remained absconding for the sixth day.

Ms. Viola was quizzed by an investigating officer of the Crime Branch from morning till evening with a one-hour lunch break in between.

“We had made an application that a lawyer be allowed to accompany her, which was refused by Crime Branch,” her lawyer Yatish Naik told reporters.

Sources said Ms. Viola was asked about the relation between the deceased Nadia Torrado and Pacheco.

The Crime Branch has named Pacheco and his friend Monteiro as accused in the case and both of them are on the run since then. Nadia died after allegedly consuming poison.

Police had raided Pacheco’s residence last evening and confiscated several computers and documents. Pacheco’s anticipatory bail has been denied by a session’s court and he is yet to move to the high court.

Monteiro, on the other hand, has filed an application in the high court after the session’s court refused to give him any relief.

Police said that both Pacheco and Monteiro are accused in the case, which is registered as culpable homicide not amounting to murder.