Fransisco Pacheco resigned a day after being questioned by Crime Branch in connection with the death of a 28-year-old female friend. Goa police said Pacheco is untraceable.
Goa tourism minister Fransisco Pacheco today resigned from the cabinet over allegations about involvement in the death of a woman friend and is "untraceable", prompting the police to launch a manhunt for him.
Pacheco, 46, faxed his resignation letter to chief minister's office this afternoon, a day after he was quizzed by Crime Branch in the case. In the letter, the NCP leader said he was quitting because of the charges against him in the death of Nadia Torrado.
Nadia, 28, a close friend of the NCP leader, had died on Sunday at Chennai allegedly after consuming rat poison. A case of abetment of suicide has been filed against unknown persons.
Pacheco, who was grilled for over eight hours yesterday and summoned by the police today also, went missing after quitting, prompting the police to launch a search for the politician.
"The minister is not traceable," police spokesperson Atmaram Deshpande told PTI. "We have alerted all the police stations to look-out for him."
Police summoned Pacheco earlier this week after women's organisations in the state alleged his involvement in Nadia's death.
Main opposition BJP has demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter.
Pacheco, elected from Benaulim constituency, was a prominent NCP minister in the Congress-led coalition government in the state. Nadia's mother Sonia and her estranged husband Wilson Barretto were also questioned by Crime Branch yesterday.
The woman had allegedly consumed rat poison here a fortnight ago and was shifted to a private hospital in Thane before being taken to Chennai after she started developing liver complications.
Nadia's family members have claimed she consumed rat poison paste by mistake. In statements 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, who has denied all charges, accused the police of indulging in "witch-hunting". In a letter to the chief minister, he has accused the police of harassing him.
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