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.
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.
IANS
