Ex-Goa Minister Pacheco surrenders in Nadia death case

PANAJI: On the run for nearly a month, Goa's former Tourism Minister Fransisco Mickey Pacheco on Saturday surrendered before the Sessions Court in Margao in connection with the death of his friend Nadia Torrado.

The NCP leader's anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Supreme Court on July 1, leaving him with no other option but to give himself up.

He surrendered before the Sessions Court Judge U V Bakre this morning, minutes after his close aide Lyndon Monteiro, also booked in the case, appeared before the police responding to summons.

Lyndon has been granted anticipatory bail by the Supreme Court.

Torrado (28), described by the 46-year-old legislator as his "close friend", died on May 30, a fortnight after she allegedly consumed poison.

Crime Branch has booked Pacheco for abetment of suicide, while Monteiro, who was Officer on Special Duty (OSD), has been charged with destruction of evidence.