Crime Branch quizzes Goa minister's wife in Nadia death case

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

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

"We had made an application that a lawyer be allowed to accompany her, which was refused by the Crime Branch," said her lawyer Yatish Naik.

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

The Crime Branch has named Pacheco and his aide Monteiro as accused in the case and both of them have been on the run since then.

Nadia died after allegedly consuming poison. The police had raided Pacheco's residence on Friday evening and confiscated several computers and documents.

Pacheco's anticipatory bail has been denied by a sessions 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 sessions court refused to give him any relief.

Both Pacheco and Monteiro have been named as accused in the case, which is registered as culpable homicide not amounting to murder, said the police.