Ex-Minister Pacheco wants to be out of jail, writes to Govt

Incarcerated former Goa Minister Francisco Miccky Pacheco has sought release from jail claiming he has been meted out "injustice" by the courts which did not go through evidence submitted by him in an assault case.
The 51-year-old legislator, a controversial figure in Goa politics, has submitted a petition to the State Government requesting that he be released from jail, official sources said today.
The Goa Vikas Party leader, who surrendered before a local court in early June after being on the run for nearly two months, is currently serving six-month imprisonment for slapping an on-duty Government officer in 2006.
In the petition, addressed to Chief Secretary R K Srivastava, Pacheco said he has been meted out "injustice" by the courts "which did not go through evidence given by him" in the assault case.

After being convicted by the trial court, Pacheco had challenged the verdict first in Goa Bench of Bombay High Court and then in the Supreme Court, where his appeal was rejected last year.
The former Minister's application was forwarded to Governor Mridula Sinha, who has sent it to the Law Department for their opinion through the office of Chief Secretary, the sources said.
The BJP-led Government has sought a detailed report over the issue from the Home Department. The views of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar will also be sought on the application, the sources stated.