I'm being framed by political rivals: Pacheco

Panaji, Jun 18: The former Goa Tourism Minister, Fransisco Pacheco, who is facing charges of extortion, bigamy and assault in connection with the death of his 28-year-old female friend, has said that he is being framed by his political rivals.

In his bail application, Pachecho has said that he was being targeted due to his 'frank and forthright' comments on the scams in departments under the chief minister.

"The petitioner is known as frank and forthright politician and has commented on many occasions on his cabinet colleague, including the honourable home minister... The petitioner openly spoke about the excise scam and the drug racket in Goa. The honourable chief minister is also holding the portfolio of excise," reads Pacheco's bail application.

The minister, who is on the run, is referring to the multi-crore Rupee scam of excise department, which is governed by the Chief Minister as well as the allegations slapped against the Home Minister Ravi Naik of protecting police-politician-drug mafia nexus.

Pachecho, who resigned and went absconding after he was questioned by the Crime Branch of Goa police over the death of his alleged lover Nadia Torrado, said that if the police ever nabbed him, he would be subjected to 'third degree' treatment.

"The accusations made by the press are false and politically motivated in order to see that the petitioner's political career is terminated or weakened to a large extent so that he becomes meek and obliging and does not cause any threat to the present political balance in Goa, directly or indirectly," Pacheco's application goes on.

The bail plea, which was scheduled for hearing on Friday, Jun 18, was postponed as Bombay High Court judge recused himself from the hearing. Now, the chief justice of the High court is expected to hold the hearing in the next few days.

OneIndia News