Goa minister quits,police launch manhunt for him

Goa Tourism Minister Fransisco Pacheco resigned from the Cabinet on Saturday over allegations about his involvement in the death of a woman friend. He remained untraceable,prompting the police to launch a manhunt for him.

Pacheco,46,faxed his resignation letter to the Chief Ministers Office this afternoon,a day after he was questioned by the Crime Branch. In the letter,the NCP leader said he was quitting because of the charges against him in the death of Nadia Torrado.

Governor S S Sidhu has accepted his resignation,a Goa Raj Bhawan notification said. A lookout circular has been issued against Pacheco at all international airports,Goa police spokesman Atmaram Deshpande said.

Police said Torrado,28,had died under mysterious circumstances. Torrado,who is alleged to have committed suicide by consuming poison,died last Sunday while being treated in a private hospital at Chennai. The Crime Branch has recorded the statements of her mother.