With the induction of Francisco alias Mickky Pacheco as a cabinet minister on Saturday, a fourth of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government’s cabinet in Goa face criminal charges.
Pacheco, who has been allotted the Archives, Archaeology and Rural Development ministry by the new chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, has around 10 criminal cases involving bigamy, abetment to suicide, extortion and assault against him. In 2010, he has been investigated by the US Bureau of Diplomatic Security for alleged human trafficking and money laundering.
Pacheco has previously insisted that his account was being used by Goan expatriates, for whom his employment agency had found jobs abroad, to send money back to their families. But after being sworn in at Raj Bhavan, Pacheco told Scroll that the case against him were “mere allegations” and told this reporter that “anybody can write an FIR [First Information Report] against you also”.
Formal charges
Pacheco, a legislator from Nuvem, has already been formally charged by trial courts in four criminal cases related to forgery and cheating.
The minister, known for his flashy lifestyle which includes driving a luxury SUV Hummer or a Harley Davidson motorcycle to work, including to the state legislative assembly, has run into several controversies in the past.
In 2009, a case of extortion was filed against him by the management of Treasures Casino, a popular casino which operates from a luxury beach resort in South Goa. The casino management submitted CCTV footage which showed Pacheco assaulting a casino dealer at the gaming table.
There are also other ministers who despite having criminal cases not only survived in the earlier Manohar Parrikar cabinet, but were also sworn in against last week when Parsekar took over. The change of leadership was required because Parrikar was shifted to Delhi as union defence minister last week.
Others face charges too
Sports minister Ramesh Tawadkar was chargesheeted in December last year, along with eight others by a trial court in Margao, a south Goa town, for use of explosive substances, arson, rioting and assault using dangerous weapons.
Tourism minister Dilip Parulekar has also been booked by the police for land-grabbing as well as cheating and the police investigations conducted by the Crime Branch are being monitored by a trial court.
While the tainted record of Parulekar and Tawadkar pales in front of Pacheco’s rap-sheet, the trio ‒ one-fourth of the 12-member Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition cabinet ‒ have been stoutly been defended by Parrikar in the past and Parsekar currently.
Speaking to Scroll after the induction of Pacheco, Parsekar defended the new minister's inclusion despite being the new government's promise to bring in clear governance.
“People have voted for Mickky, despite the allegations and the things he is alleged to have done," Parsekar said. "In this term, I don’t think there is any accusation. People have elected him, therefore it is my responsibility to use someone the people have elected.”
Parrikar is evasive
Former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who sources say, had a major say in the appointment of ministers, refused to comment when asked as to how a legislator with a tainted record replaced him in the state cabinet. Pacheco is the only new face in the BJP-led coalition ministry and has filled up the vacancy left by Parrikar’s elevation.
“You ask chief minister, no comment on the cabinet,” the Union Defence Minister said, even as Parsekar claimed that the BJP had succeeded in giving 33% representation to the Catholic community. Catholics account for 26% of the state population.
The Opposition has not let the opportunity go. “Inducting convicted MLAs into the cabinet shows bankruptcy of this government,” said Congress organising secretary Durgadas Kamat.
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Pacheco, who has been allotted the Archives, Archaeology and Rural Development ministry by the new chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, has around 10 criminal cases involving bigamy, abetment to suicide, extortion and assault against him. In 2010, he has been investigated by the US Bureau of Diplomatic Security for alleged human trafficking and money laundering.
Pacheco has previously insisted that his account was being used by Goan expatriates, for whom his employment agency had found jobs abroad, to send money back to their families. But after being sworn in at Raj Bhavan, Pacheco told Scroll that the case against him were “mere allegations” and told this reporter that “anybody can write an FIR [First Information Report] against you also”.
Formal charges
Pacheco, a legislator from Nuvem, has already been formally charged by trial courts in four criminal cases related to forgery and cheating.
The minister, known for his flashy lifestyle which includes driving a luxury SUV Hummer or a Harley Davidson motorcycle to work, including to the state legislative assembly, has run into several controversies in the past.
In 2009, a case of extortion was filed against him by the management of Treasures Casino, a popular casino which operates from a luxury beach resort in South Goa. The casino management submitted CCTV footage which showed Pacheco assaulting a casino dealer at the gaming table.
There are also other ministers who despite having criminal cases not only survived in the earlier Manohar Parrikar cabinet, but were also sworn in against last week when Parsekar took over. The change of leadership was required because Parrikar was shifted to Delhi as union defence minister last week.
Others face charges too
Sports minister Ramesh Tawadkar was chargesheeted in December last year, along with eight others by a trial court in Margao, a south Goa town, for use of explosive substances, arson, rioting and assault using dangerous weapons.
Tourism minister Dilip Parulekar has also been booked by the police for land-grabbing as well as cheating and the police investigations conducted by the Crime Branch are being monitored by a trial court.
While the tainted record of Parulekar and Tawadkar pales in front of Pacheco’s rap-sheet, the trio ‒ one-fourth of the 12-member Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition cabinet ‒ have been stoutly been defended by Parrikar in the past and Parsekar currently.
Speaking to Scroll after the induction of Pacheco, Parsekar defended the new minister's inclusion despite being the new government's promise to bring in clear governance.
“People have voted for Mickky, despite the allegations and the things he is alleged to have done," Parsekar said. "In this term, I don’t think there is any accusation. People have elected him, therefore it is my responsibility to use someone the people have elected.”
Parrikar is evasive
Former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who sources say, had a major say in the appointment of ministers, refused to comment when asked as to how a legislator with a tainted record replaced him in the state cabinet. Pacheco is the only new face in the BJP-led coalition ministry and has filled up the vacancy left by Parrikar’s elevation.
“You ask chief minister, no comment on the cabinet,” the Union Defence Minister said, even as Parsekar claimed that the BJP had succeeded in giving 33% representation to the Catholic community. Catholics account for 26% of the state population.
The Opposition has not let the opportunity go. “Inducting convicted MLAs into the cabinet shows bankruptcy of this government,” said Congress organising secretary Durgadas Kamat.
