Records statements of three witnesses, may slap additional charge on Tejpal
The three-member Goa Police team returned to Panaji after questioning Shoma Chaudhury, the Managing Editor of the Tehelka, and her three male colleagues who are the witnesses in the case of sexual assault involving Tehelka Editor Tarun Tejpal. The police team also collected evidence. The Goa Police appears to have completed the first stage of investigation.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares and the investigating officer, woman Inspector Sunita Sawant, questioned Shoma Chaudhury for about nine hours from 4.30 pm to around 2 am at the magazine’s office at Greater Kailash-II. Sources said the Crime Branch team confronted Chaudhury with the sequence of events and pointedly asked when the incident came to her knowledge.
“Yesterday, at the Tehelka office, the Goa Police took my deposition for about 9 hours, it was extremely courteous experience and I fully cooperated and showed every document that was relevant, every email exchange that was there between my colleagues and the management,” said Chaudhury.
Police took into custody the email trail among the victim, Chaudhury and Tejpal. They also scanned Shoma’s mobile phone, tablet computer and laptop. A CPU, and several documents pertaining to the case have been seized.
The three male employees of the Tehelka whom the woman journalist had told about the incident were also questioned and their statements were recorded. Their testimony hold importance in the case.
Meanwhile, sources close to Tejpal said that he is contemplating to move to the court to seek transfer of the case from Goa.
The Goa Police also requested the victim to join the probe and formally file a complaint. Replying to a question about Tejpal’s arrest, a highly-placed source in the Delhi Police said if the victim files a complaint, Tejpal would be arrested immediately. “But unless that happens, the Goa Police will want to tick all boxes before arresting Tejpal,” the official said.
Goa Deputy Inspector General of Police OP Mishra said that they were yet to establish contact with Tejpal. “As of now, we have not established contact with Tejpal.
But we will proceed as per the standard protocol followed in such cases,” he said. The police, he said, have also taken cognizance of the content related to the case on the social networking websites.
Responding to a question whether Hollywood actor Robert De Niro’s help could be sought as his name has been mentioned in the FIR as the girl was coordinating with him, he said: “When we investigate the case, there are many things that emerge. As per requirement, statement can be recorded.”
In another development, National Commission of Women (NCW) has asked the Mumbai Police to provide security to the victim while stressing that the woman journalist should come forward and put her case firmly.