New Delhi: Tehelka Managing Editor Shoma Chaudhury's name could be added to the FIR against Tehelka Founder-Editor Tarun Tejpal for trying to suppress the sexual harassment complaint, say sources.
Goa Police sources also say that Tejpal has been asked to present himself for questioning at the earliest. This even as the complainant's statement will be recorded before the magistrate in connection with her sexual assault allegations against Tejpal.
The Goa Police has issued an immigration check post alert for Tejpal at all ports and airports of the country after an FIR was lodged against him on Friday. "As a normal drill, have alerted all border check posts and airports if the accused attempts to escape the country," DIG, Panaji OP Mishra said.
The police had on Tuesday examined the complainant in Mumbai for almost eight hours, say sources. Sources add that she gave a 22-page statement to the Goa Police in which she did not deviate from her stand and what she had written in the mail. She is now going to Goa soon to record the statement before the Judicial Magistrate.
Once her statement is done, Tejpal will be officially summoned by the Goa Police, say aources. Sources have also told CNN-IBN that the Goa Police has a long list of questions for Tejpal based on the complainant's statement.
Meanwhile, the complainant's mother has told the police that her daughter is being pressured. The complainant had on Monday resigned from Tehelka saying it was impossible for her to continue working with the organisation.
In his defence, Tejpal reverted to his 'drunken banter' version. In a fresh statement now in his plea in the Delhi High Court, which is hearing his anticipatory transit bail plea, Tejpal said, "I'm shocked to learn that a false complaint was sought to be projected as an incident of alleged harassment. The encounter was only light hearted banter which led to a moment of privacy between two individuals. Our meeting lasted a few seconds and no intimate moment was shared between us."
"The nature of the said meeting can well be established by perusal of the CCTV footage from hotel. The Goa Police blatantly ignoring CCTV footage, I demand a copy," he added. Blaming the BJP, Tejpal said, "Goa Police investigation is 'tainted and unfair', it is a BJP conspiracy and being carried out due to political grudge."
But Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that he was not interfering in the investigation in the case. He said, "Tarun Tejpal himself admitted it in the first instance. I don't interfere with the police. I have given instructions to the police to do the job fearlessly and not to come under any pressure."
He added that he was not taking hourly update from the police, "If its proved that I am taking hourly updates from police on the case, I will resign."
Speaking exclusively to IBN18 Network Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai, Parrikar said, "I don't come under pressure from any one. I have told police to do investigation, find evidence and proceed. The investigating officer has been given full power and I have directed DGP to make available resources to the officer for quick investigation."
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