Goa Police to summon Tarun Tejpal in Tehelka sex scandal

After Goa chief minister Manohar Parikkar ordered a probe into sexual assault allegation against Tehelka Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal, the Goa police have asked the 5-star hotel, where the incident took place, to provide the CCTV footage of that time.

In her allegation with Tahelka the woman journalist accused Tarun Tejpal of sexually assaulting her during Tahelka’s ‘Think’ festival last week. Reportedly she demanded punishment against Tejpal.

Mr. Parikkar said that preliminary investigation has begun and said, “If we find any substance against Tejpal, a suo motu case can be registered against him since the incident happened in Goa”.

Police also asked Shoma Chaudhary, Managing Editor-Tehelka to join the investigation and handover all emails she has received from the victim and Tejpal related to the incident. Police also considering taking statement from the woman journalist and summoning Tarun Tejpal.

Meanwhile on Wednesday Tahelka Chief Tarun Tejpal had stepped down from his post for six months.

In his email to Shoma Chaudhary, Tejpal Written, “A bad lapse of judgment, an awful misreading of the situation, have led to an unfortunate incident that is against all we believe in and fight for. I have already unconditionally apologised for my misconduct to the concerned journalist, but I feel impelled to atone further. I am therefore offering to recuse myself from the editorship of Tehelka, and from the Tehelka office, for the next six months.”

 “There was an incident which has been dealt with internally. An unconditional apology 

Shoma Chaudhary

was extended by Tarun. The journalist concerned was satisfied with the action taken. Tarun voluntarily recusing himself as editor is in keeping with the standards we have espoused as an institution and want to live by,” in her statement Shoma Chaudhary said.

Tahelka received sharp criticism from all quarters for mishandling the case and its desparate cover-ups. Many critics raised question on the way Tahelka tried to deal with this serious offence. The Magazine not even set up an internal committee to probe the cases of sexual assault against women employees and Shoma’s protective defence for her boss not gone well so far.

Facing the hit from fellow media and woman rights groups, Shoma Chaudhary said, “”I want to address the issues that have been raised, please give me a chance to do it in a decent way. I am from the fraternity and understand the need for transparency but I do need the time to act correctly on it. (If) I can’t I’ll falter, the institution will falter. If you put this amount of pressure to get an immediate reaction on this. It is difficult situation. I will address all the real questions and issues that are raised. Do need the time to prioritise it.”

“The way these letters are leaked, I am not being able to act in a measured way I would like to,” Shoma added.

“My understanding is she wanted an apology and it was given to her. He (Tejpal) stepped down. It was something she had not asked for. It was much more than what she wanted,” Shoma said.

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