Goa cops quiz Tehelka staff, return without meeting Tejpal


Panaji/New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS): A Goa Police team returned from the capital Sunday after questioning Tehelka's managing editor Shoma Chaudhury and three witnesses but did not establish any contact with the magazine's founder Tarun Tejpal, accused of sexually assaulting a junior colleague.

"We have not established contact with Tarun Tejpal yet," Deputy Inspector General of Police O.P. Mishra said at a press conference at the police headquarters in Panaji.

He said the police team met and examined Chaudhury and other Tehelka employees in Delhi.

"They have also taken relevant documents in possession and some electronic items," he said.

Mishra also warned that media persons and houses naming the victim and putting out indicative as well as salacious details of the case in the public domain could be prosecuted.

A three-member Goa Police team, which arrived in the national capital Saturday, questioned Chaudhury for over nine hours from 4.30 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday at the magazine's south Delhi office.

Her other colleagues -- Shougat Dasgupta, G. Vishnu and Ishan Tankha -- were questioned for around four hours Sunday at Goa Sadan, the state government's guest house in New Delhi area.

"I was questioned for about nine hours. I fully cooperated and shared every document that is relevant ... it was a good experience. I hope (for) clarity in truth and justice," Chaudhury told reporters after the questioning.

Asked about the three colleagues, who too were quizzed, she said: "The only thing I would say to everybody involved is that they should speak the truth fearlessly and I really hope some justice and truth comes into this case finally."

The victim had mentioned the names of the three in her email to Chaudhury.

According to sources, Goa Police have seized the central processing unit (CPU) of Chaudhury's computer as well as her laptop and iPad along with the CPU of Tejpal's computer. Some CDs and a few hard discs were also seized from the Tehelka office.

"Goa Police also seized the joining and transfer letter of the victim," said a Delhi Police source.

But Tehelka denied seizure of any documents.

The Goa Police probe team returned home Sunday afternoon.

The young Tehelka journalist in her complaint to Chaudhury had said Tejpal sexually assaulted her twice in the elevator in the Club House section of the Grand Hyatt five-star resort during the news magazine's high-profile ThinkFest conference earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) Sunday asked Mumbai police to ensure security of the woman journalist.

The NCW spoke to the Mumbai police after a statement was issued by the woman, who is based in Mumbai, that she fears "intimidation and harassment" as Tejpal's family is putting pressure on her family.

"NCW is concerned following the statement and have spoken to Mumbai police joint commissioner (Crime) Himanshu Roy to ensure the girl's security," said NCW member Nirmala Samant.

She said Mumbai police have assured her that they will provide all necessary protection to the woman in case she approaches them.

"NCW is there to ensure her safety and security," Samant said.

The matter came to light after intra-office communication between Tejpal, Chaudhury and the woman was leaked to the media last week. Chaudhury too has been accused of trying to hush up the matter.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Kanthappa, Kudremukh

    Mon, Nov 25 2013

    A three-member Goa Police team, which arrived in the national capital Saturday, questioned Chaudhury for over nine hours from 4.30 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday at the magazine's south Delhi office.

    Goa Police have seized the central processing unit (CPU) of Chaudhury's computer as well as her laptop and iPad along with the CPU of Tejpal's computer. Some CDs and a few hard discs were also seized from the Tehelka office.

    "They have also taken relevant documents in possession and some electronic items."

    Why there was not an investigation held with Raghupathi Bhat's wife murder case or Halappa's rape - in the same spirit?

    DisAgree [7] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Manda Buddi, Kudla

    Mon, Nov 25 2013

    So, they went for a picnic in govt. expenses!?
    After all, why this media and these people giving so much publicity and showing so much interest in this particular case?
    Even though it is not a rape case, only rape attempt the way they behave, it seems that- this the first rape or rape attempt occurred in India first time they heard such a crime! India is a crime free state! Rape and murder is a common issue, especially in Goa. How many foreign tourists has been raped? How many foreigners have been killed? If the admin. The system has acted so sincere in the past they could have wiped out the crime from at least from Goa.
    The incident happened in Goa, in side a lift! Goan police searching in New Delhi - in Tehalka office. How funny!? These jokers spoiling the Indian image internationally? What they are looking for in his office?A three-member Goa Police team, questioned a lady for over nine hours from 4.30 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday at the magazine's south Delhi office. Great job - well done! Tejpal done the crime in Goa and his boss has to give the explanation in New Delhi for such a long time? And these heroes take custody of computer, laptop, cd, dvd, etc. etc.. What the hell? If they found the condom in his desk and if they took they took custody of that - it's okay. But what is this? Tejpal is not a Yaseen. And it is not the matter of terrorism, bomb blast or hawala. The incident was a common thing which happens in India daily basis. And the investigative spirit and the way they are handling the issue: seem that - the entire story is fabricated or it is a sting against the sting master!

    DisAgree [7] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Mon, Nov 25 2013

    Police wanted to know if Tehalka has done any sting operation on FEKU and his GIRLFRIEND...

    DisAgree [6] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sudhakar, Kallianpur

    Mon, Nov 25 2013

    At last you came out from the toilet and now behind girlfriend.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • yogesh, bombay

    Mon, Nov 25 2013

    congi politics mastermind sitting in delhi

    DisAgree [7] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Mon, Nov 25 2013

    The alleged sexual assault happened in Goa but why seize Laptops, iPads, CPU’s, CD’s, HDD’s from Delhi.
    I wonder if FEKU wanted to find out if Tehalka had information on his girlfriend……

    DisAgree [18] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Langoolacharya, Belman/Washington,DC

    Mon, Nov 25 2013

    People,

    Police should be an independent outside sphere of political influence like in western countries.

    When political parties are in opposition they will be at receiving end of law enforcement agencies so they say CBI/Police should be independent ....moment they come to power they want to use them and forget about their independence.

    I have seen all political parties doing this speaking from both sides of their mouth...same about Corruption...Swiss Bank accounts....

    In a nutshell, both Congress and BJP are Chors and their purpose of coming to power is their personal financial gain and they pretend they want power for up liftment of people...

    People who vote for these Chors deserve administration they get from them...

    Enjoy....

    ...JH...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Langoolacharya, Belman/Washington,DC

    Mon, Nov 25 2013

    People,

    Police should be independent outside sphere of political influence like in western countries.

    When political parties are in opposition they will be at receiving end of law enforcement agencies so they say CBI/Police should be independent ....moment they come to power they want to use them and forget about their independence.

    I have seen all political parties doing this speaking from both sides of their mouth...same about Corruption...Swiss Bank accounts....

    In a nutshell both Congress and BJP are Chors and their purpose of coming to power is their personal financial gain and they pretend they want power for up liftment of people...

    People who vote for these Chors deserve administration they get from them...

    Enjoy....

    ...JH...

    DisAgree [4] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • JNB, Bejai

    Sun, Nov 24 2013

    The Goa Police probe team returned home Sunday afternoon?

    without meeting Tejpal

    they too scared?

    DisAgree [7] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse


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