Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Former Goa Tourism Minister and former MLA Francisco Xavier Pacheco, popularly known as Mickky, has called for a comprehensive and independent investigation into the Porvorim Casino Majestic shooting case, saying the public deserves the “complete truth” rather than competing narratives.
Reacting to a video in which the accused has reportedly made several claims about the shooting, Pacheco said the allegations raise serious questions that should be verified through an evidence-based investigation.
According to Pacheco, the accused has reportedly claimed that the alleged exchange of fire was pre-planned and took place at close range, while also alleging that several shots were fired without anyone being injured. The accused has further reportedly claimed that Srinivas Nayak and his bodyguard were involved in an arrangement in which shots would be exchanged without causing injuries.
Pacheco said the most significant allegation concerns the accused’s reported claim of having a prior relationship and understanding with Nayak. He said the accused has allegedly stated that the purported plan was discussed around a year before the incident and that Nayak had allegedly given him money on several occasions.
“These extraordinary allegations cannot simply be dismissed without verification,” Pacheco said, calling for authorities to establish whether there were prior communications, meetings, financial transactions or other dealings between the individuals.
He also called for the claims made in the video to be examined against CCTV footage, ballistic and weapon-forensic reports, call detail records, mobile phone data, eyewitness accounts and medical evidence.
Pacheco questioned whether the incident was a genuine shooting, a staged exchange of fire, a conspiracy, an arrangement that went wrong, or something else, stressing that the answer must come from evidence rather than public statements.
He said the Crime Branch’s reported position that the accused’s video was intended to divert attention from the investigation should not substitute for an independent assessment of the claims.
Pacheco has urged the Goa Government and competent authorities to conduct a transparent, impartial and time-bound investigation. If concerns regarding local influence, conflict of interest or investigative compromise arise, he said the case should be considered for an independent Special Investigation Team or a CBI probe, subject to the applicable legal process.
He further demanded that the role of every person connected with the incident be examined without fear or favour, while stressing that allegations alone should not be treated as proof of guilt.
Pacheco also called for scrutiny of any alleged financial transactions between the accused and Nayak, if supported by evidence, as well as the licensing and deployment of private armed security personnel associated with the episode.
He said any investigation into unexplained wealth, property transactions, benami dealings or money laundering should be based on specific evidence and carried out strictly in accordance with law.
On the question of alleged political influence, Pacheco said authorities should establish through facts and records whether anyone connected with the matter had received political protection or unusual influence.
“This is not a demand for conviction through social media. It is a demand for truth, accountability, transparency, and equal application of the law,” Pacheco said.
He maintained that if the accused’s allegations are false, the investigation should establish that clearly, while any conspiracy, fabrication, intimidation or obstruction of justice must be dealt with according to law.
Pacheco also clarified that the claims referred to in his statement are allegations reportedly made in the circulated video and require independent verification. No individual, he said, should be treated as guilty unless established through due process of law.
