PANAJI: Accused of sexually assaulting a junior colleague, Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal stuck to his version, saying that whatever happened between the two was a consensual act, an investigating officer said.
The investigating officer told PTI: ‘Tejpal has been maintaining that the act was consensual though he has not denied having indulged in the act.’
Saying that the investigation was moving in the right direction, the officer on condition of anonymity, said that Tejpal corroborated with what the girl had said but refused to accept that he used forced on the girl.
Tejpal was arrested Nov 30 after a junior employee accused him of sexually assaulting her twice in a five-star hotel’s elevator in the Goa capital during Thinkfest, an event organised by the magazine Nov 7 and 8.
Meanwhile, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Thursday denied any interference in the Tarun Tejpal sexual assault case, saying he only wants justice to be delivered in the matter.
“There is no interference or detailing in criminal investigation in the case (Tejpal). There will be equal and proper treatment to both the sides,” Parrikar said.
Parrikar and the BJP have been accused by Tejpal of manipulating police investigation against the editor, who is accused of sexually assaulting a junior colleague twice in a Goa resort.
