Goa police today filed an FIR against Tehelka Editor Tarun Tejpal, who has been accused by a woman journalist colleague of sexual assault during an event here about 10 days ago.
Deputy Inspector General of Police O.P. Mishra said the FIR has been filed, while DGP Kishan Kumar said that the crime branch could send a team of officials to Delhi for further investigation.
“We will go through all the details. We will press rape charges against him, if the complaint of the girl is substantiated,” Mishra said.
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had ordered a preliminary inquiry into the allegations by the girl that she was sexually abused by Tejpal during an event in Goa.
The alleged incident happened in a lift in a five-star hotel in Goa about 10 days ago.
The DIG said the CCTV footage was received from the hotel last evening and was preserved. Details of the incident can only be known after examining the footage, he added.
Police have already written to the Tehelka management, asking for the documents, including e-mail of the victim and the statement by Tejpal.
Parrikar had said yesterday that the police were trying to reach to the girl and record her statement.
“We will fully backup the girl if she files the complaint,” the Chief Minister had said.
He had also expressed the possibility of summoning Tejpal after the preliminary inquiry is over.
After the e-mail by the woman journalist of his magazine alleging sexual assault was made public, Tejpal had announced on Wednesday night that he was “recusing” from his job for six months.
Attempt to rape charges
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said attempt to rape charges have been pressed in the FIR against Tejpal.
“I am yet to see the FIR copy. What I know is they have pressed attempt to rape charge (against Tejpal),” he told PTI.
He said that the police have the complete authority to investigate the sexual assault case against Tejpal and they should not worry about the stature of the person involved.
“I have given complete authority to the police to investigate the case. I have told them don’t worry whether the person is low profile or high profile. Stature does not count.
What counts is the crime. You go by what is correct in law,” the Chief Minister said.