MARGAO
Former MLA Mickky Pacheco got a breather on Saturday after the South Goa Sessions Court granted him anticipatory bail in the Utorda incident. The court has directed the Verna police to release him on a personal bond of Rs 20,000 with one surety in the event of his arrest.
The court, however, said Mickky can be taken into police custody for a limited period for facilitating recovery in the event the police makes
out a case of likely discovery under section 7 of the Evidence Act.
The court has directed the former MLA to report to the investigation officer for a period of five days if required between 10 am and 1 pm. While being further directed not to tamper with the witnesses or evidence, the court has told Mickky to be of good behavior, with a further direction not to leave the State without the permission of the police and court.
That’s not all. The former MLA will not be able to visit his home village Betalbatim as his entry has been barred by the court for a period of 15 days. Similarly, he has been directed not to enter Utorda for a period of 60 days.
While granting anticipatory bail, Additional Sessions Judge, Sayonara Laad, observed that the fear and the apprehension raised by the investigating agency can be taken care of by imposing conditions on the applicant. The judge also made an observation that the accused has stated in his application that he is ready and willing to cooperate with the investigating agency.
Mickky’s lawyer, Adv Byron Rodrigues, said he is happy with the court order, more so when the Verna police tried to misguide the court by trying to portray the former MLA as a hardened criminal by citing previous criminal cases.
‘Happy with court order, but not with way Verna police handled case’
MARGAO: Former MLA Mickky Pacheco said he was satisfied with the Sessions Court granting him anticipatory bail, but lamented over the way the Verna police went about portraying him as a hardened criminal.
Speaking to the media after the court passed the order on Saturday evening, Mickky said he had full faith in the judiciary when the police were out to play mischief by citing a host of previous criminal cases against him.
He accused the Verna police for being hand in gloves with those involved in the circulation of the video, and also suspected political hand behind the episode. “I thank the court for granting me anticipatory bail. But, at the same time, I would like to state that the Verna police were totally biased in their investigations. The police even tried to misguide the court by citing previous criminal cases against me when the courts have already discharged or acquitted me in these cases,” Mickky lamented.
