Admitted in critical state to intensive care unit of Mumbai hospital, Goan businesswoman had been named by minister's wife in a case of bigamy
The condition of a Goan businesswoman admitted to a city hospital on account of poisoning has deteriorated, said doctors treating her.
Meanwhile, the reason Viola Fernandes (27) consumed rat poison in the first place still remains a subject of
controversy.
Fernandes, who is the director of a Goan shipping firm, is believed to be Goa Tourism Minister Francisco 'Mickky' Pacheco's business partner and close friend, and was named by Pacheco's estranged wife, Sara, when she had filed a bigamy case against the minister in 2008.
Penniless
At the time, Sara had alleged that the minister had left her penniless and even married Fernandes. Pacheco has, since, denied all accusations of bigamy.
Doctors at Jupiter Hospital, where Fernandes is currently admitted to the intensive care unit, refused to come on record.
However, a source said, "Fernandes was admitted on May 15 after she had been referred here by a hospital in Goa. She is believed to have accidentally taken poison and it has caused severe damage to multiple organs."
"Her liver and kidneys have been affected the most. She is currently under observation and her condition is still critical," he added.
'Not a good time'
Relatives also chose to remain mum over Fernandes' condition. "It is not a good time for us," said one relative.
Mickky Pacheco said, "I don't know of any such thing. I suggest you check your facts first."
Sara Pacheco was unavailable for comment although, at the time of filing the complaint, she had alleged that Pacheco had called her 'fat and ugly' after he rose to his ministerial post.
| In the past | NCP member Francisco Xavier Pacheco alias Mickky Pacheco, who was elected an MLA in 2002, and subsequently rose to the post of Goa's state minister for tourism, housing and ports, has been in the eye of a storm for a long time:
>> In 2009, local panchayat members asked for an inquiry into Pacheco's educational qualifications and alleged that the minister had forged fake certificates while filing his electoral nomination.
>> The minister has also been chargesheeted for assaulting a junior engineer after the victim submitted a complaint to the state chief secretary that no action had been taken in the matter since 2006.
>> Last year, Pacheco was arrested by the Crime Branch after a casino owner accused him of extortion and criminal intimidation. | | 
