Goa minister quits after female friend's death

Panaji: Goa Tourism Minister Fransisco Pacheco resigned on Saturday, a day after being questioned by Goa Police Crime Branch in connection with the death of a 28-year-old female friend.

Goa Police say Pacheco, who was again called for questioning on Saturday, is untraceable. All police stations have been asked to look out for him.

Pacheco was questioned for about eight hours by Crime Branch in connection with the death of his close friend Nadia Torrado on Friday.

The 28-year-old woman died in a Chennai hospital last Sunday after she allegedly consumed poison. Trouble started for the NCP minister when women's organisations accused him of being responsible for her death.

Nadia's family members, however, stood by Pacheco, who has denied involvement in her death. Police have filed an abetment to suicide case against unknown persons.

The 46-year-old Pacheco was grilled by Investigating Officer (IO) Sunita Sawant till about 7.30 pm with an hour-long lunch break in between.

Nadia's mother Sonia and her estranged husband Wilson Barretto were also questioned by Crime Branch, which asked them to appear before it again on Saturday.

"We are investigating the case with an open mind. We are not suspecting anyone nor anyone is a witness for us. Let us take their statements before deciding on the case," Sawant said after questioning Pacheco.

Nadia had allegedly consumed rat poison in Panaji a fortnight ago and was shifted to a private hospital in Thane (Mumbai) before being taken to Chennai after her liver started developing complications.

Sawant said the first autopsy on her body was conducted at Chennai, while second one was done at the government-run hospital at Margao in Goa. The state police were yet to get report of first post-mortem.

Police officials said they would also summon all the doctors - in Goa, Mumbai and Chennai, who treated the woman.

Nadia's family members have claimed that she consumed rat poison paste mistaking it as toothpaste. In statements given to Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) at Margao, family members had said they do not suspect anyone and it was a case of accidental death.

Pacheco has accused the police of indulging in "witch-hunting". In a letter to the Chief Minister, he has accused the police of harassing him.