Goa police issues summon to Tehelka founder
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday did not grant Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal, accused of raping a colleague, any protection from arrest.
The court is expected to give its order on Tejpal’s petition for anticipatory bail on Friday.
The Goa Police had told the court that Tehelka founder, who it has charged with rape, should not be granted bail for what it described as an act of “depravity”.
Tejpal being summoned to appear before Goa police on Thursday.
The police said Tejpal has admitted to his offence in emails sent last week to Tehelka employees including the younger colleague he is accused of violating. The emails, the police argued, turn this into “an open-and-shut case.”
Tejpal’s lawyers, however, have asked the court to grant him bail for four weeks.
In his request in court, Tejpal has described his interaction with the young woman at a five-star hotel in Goa earlier this month as “light hearted bantering.”
In an email to the same reporter last week, he apologized for trying to force “a sexual liaison” with her twice in Goa despite her “clear reluctance.”
The Goa Police also alleged in court that a member of Tejpal’s family visited the journalist’s mother in Delhi and suggested, “We can sit across the table and work this out.”
Woman journalist records statement : Meanwhile, the woman journalist who has levelled allegation of sexual assualt against Tehelka founder and editor- in-chief Tarun Tejpal, recorded her statement before the Goa Magistrate.
The recording of statement by the woman is a precursor to Tejpal’s imminent arrest.There were reports that Tehelka’s managing editor Shoma Chaudhury could also be named in the First Information Report for her alleged complicity in concealing evidence. (Agencies)