Panaji:
There was high drama and tension at Betalbatim village, constituency of Mickky Pacheco as the police arrived to begin its search at the residence of the former Goa Tourism Minister - now, the prime accused in the mysterious death of his girlfriend Nadia Torrado.
A computer hard disk and documents were seized, but there is still no trace of Pacheco who has been missing for a week now.
His supporters claim the NCP leader is being targeted by the state Home Minister Ravi Naik. Pacheco, they say will stay in hiding unless a CBI inquiry is launched.
"He is on this soil. Right here with the people. He is not hiding behind the law. But the crime branch is a missionary of the government. We want the CBI to inquire," said Godfrey Rodrigues, Pacheco's associate.
The police's failure to find Pacheco is becoming a huge embarrassment for the government, which is something the Chief Minister chooses not to admit.
"It is a matter of investigation. This incident is not affecting my government," said Digambar Kamat, Goa Chief Minister.
The political atmosphere in Goa is often so acrimonious, that every time a high profile leader is charged with a serious crime, invariably his political rivals are accused of vendetta and of using the police. With this case, this notorious reputation has only been strengthened.