Tejpal’s arrest imminent, says Goa Police

Panaji: Tehelka Founder-Editor Tarun Tejpal is likely to be arrested by the Goa Police after he failed to meet the 3 PM deadline set by it for questioning in a sexual assault case involving a woman journalist.
Goa Police DIG OP Mishra said that Tejpal has committed a serious offence by not appearing for questioning and that the police was now duty bound to arrest him. “We have refused to give Tejpal any further time to appear before the police. When summon was issued to Tejpal we took into account the journey time,” said Mishra.

Earlier in the day, Tejpal had written to the Goa Police seeking time till Saturday to appear before them.

In his letter to Goa Police, Tejpal claimed that he is cooperating with the investigations and that he lives in Delhi and needs time till Saturday to reach Goa.

Sources said the Goa Police is likely to issue a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Tejpal soon. “We have initiated the process with the FIR and summon copy. We have requested the court keeping the sensitivity of the issue. Once the NBW is issued, we will send it to immigration for look out,” said Goa DGP Kishan Kumar.

The Delhi High Court had on Wednesday reserved its order on Tejpal’s transit bail application to November 29.

Tejpal’s counsel said that they will approach the Goa court for relief. Tejpal also raised concern on the authenticity of the CCTV footage saying that he fears that footage which proves his innocence could be destroyed. Tejpal’s counsel also claimed that he was innocent and not even a case of outraging modesty can be made against him.
The complainant stuck to her version while recording her statement before a magistrate in Goa on Wednesday. Sources said her statement was consistent with the account she gave in her initial email.

Police sources also say Tehelka Managing Editor Shoma Chaudhury could also be booked for attempting to suppress the complaint. This even as Chaudhury has now resigned from her post following the sexual assault allegations against Tejpal.
In her resignation that she sent in an email at 5 am, Chaudhury said that it has been a damaging time for all associates in Tehelka.
She rejected the cover-up allegations against her saying, “While I accept that I could have done many things differently and in a more measured way, I reject the allegations of a cover-up because in no way could the first actions that were taken be deemed suppression of any kind. As for my feminist positions, I believe I acted in consonance with them by giving my colleague’s account precedence over everything else.”
The National Commission for Women has said that Chaudhury’s resignation won’t make a difference to the case. NCW member Nirmlala Samant also said that Chaudhury cannot escape responsibility by resigning.
Goa police summon to Tarun Tejpal:
To
Shri Tarun Tejpal
R/O 12 Link Road Jangpura Extension
New Delhi
Through Resident Commissioner, Goa Sadan For Service
Whereas your attendance is necessary for investigation of CID Crime Branch PS Donapaula Cr No. 27/2013 U/S 354 (A), 376, 376 (2) of the Indian Penal Code
You are hereby required to attend in person at Donapaula Police Station on 28th November by 1500 hours positively
Signed
Sunita Sawant
Donapaula Police Station
CB-CID
Police Inspector
Here’s the full text of Tejpal’s letter to Goa Police:
I have just been informed that last night, November 27th, around about 10:45 pm, you had left the summons with my wife, Geetan Batra Tejpal, asking me to appear at CID crime branch office at Dona Paula, Panaji, Goa on 28th November 2013 at 15:00 hours for investigation of CID Crime Branch PS DonaPaula, Goa, Cr. No. 27/2013 u/s 354-A, 376, 376(2) (k) of IPC.
Since I am not a resident of Goa, I require a little time to appear before you. I request you to kindly allow me to present myself for investigations on Saturday afternoon – that is, day after.
I hope that is okay. I assure you of my complete and full co-operation. I am also sending a hard copy of the same by courier.