When contacted by the media, the Tourism Minister, Mr Francisco Pacheco said, “It is very unfortunate. She was a friend of the family. We are all in mourning.”

When asked for his reaction to allegations on medical improprieties, he said, “We acted strictly on medical advice so that she could get the best of health.” When the NCP was sought to be contacted, the president was not available. However, his son spoke to media informing that his father was not available. “He (Dr Pegado) is out of station; on vacation with rest of family,” Mr Brian Pegado, son of NCP president, Dr Carmo Pegado told the media. Mr Pacheco is a minister (NCP representative) in the Congress-led Goa government of which the NCP is a coalition partner.