Sexual assault case: Attempts made to influence my family, says Tehalka journalist

New Delhi/Panaji: In a fresh twist to the alleged sexual harassment by Tarun Tejpal, founder of Tehelka news magazine, the victim has now claimed that attempts are being made to pressurise and influence her family members. 

A Goa Police which reached Delhi on Saturday afternoon questioned Tehelka’s Managing Editor Shoma Chaudhry in detail about the incident.

In a statement issued to a section of the media late Saturday evening the victim said, "A member of Mr Tejpal’s immediate family came to my mother’s house in New Delhi, asking my mother to protect Mr. Tejpal and demanded to know 1) who I was seeking legal help from and 2) what I 'wanted' as the result of my complaint of sexual molestation by Mr. Tejpal, that was made to the Tehelka management earlier this week."

"This visit has placed tremendous emotional pressure on my family and I at an intensely traumatic time. I fear this may be the beginning of a period of further intimidation and harassment. I call upon all persons connected to Mr. Tejpal and his associates to refrain from approaching me or my family members," the statement added.

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday contacted victim's mother and offered security to her family.

No CCTV camera in hotel elevator, say Goa police

Meanwhile, Goa Police sources have confirmed to this newspaper that prima facie there was sufficient evidence to arrest Tehelka Editor Tarun Tejpal as the CCTV footage of the hotel corroborates the victim's version. This is despite the fact that the hotel elevators did not have CCTV. However, the footage obtained from other cameras in the hotel supports the victim's claim.

According to sources in the Goa Police, the footage obtained from the surveillance cameras placed close to the elevator doors may prove to be crucial during the course of investigation.

In an attempt to build a foolproof case, the Goa Police is also planning to rope in a professional agency to scan the entire CCTV footage they obtained from various cameras installed in the hotel.

"This hotel is in the form of a resort rather than being a block hotel. We need to examine the footage obtained from different cameras. As it is a highly sensitive case, we will not rush into any conclusion and will proceed further only on the basis of scientific investigation," a senior police official said.

Senior Goa Police officials said they will question Tarun Tejpal and others, including an employee of the magazine.

Sexual harassment at workplace: Law is of no use as rules yet to be notified

Meanwhile, a Goa crime branch team landed in Delhi Saturday afternoon and visited the Tehelka office as part of their probe. The team questioned Tehelka’s managing editor Shoma Chaudhury and other employees seeking details of the entire incident. 

The police recorded the statements by Chaudhury and others on camera.

Reports also stated that the police asked Chaudhury to hand them her laptop and iPad. The Tehelka magazine in a Twitter post said Chaudhury has shared all documents requested by Goa Police and that she will continue to assist with the investigations.

A team of Delhi Police, including Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav, was also present at the Tehelka office at the time of the questioning to provide logistic support to the Goa police.

Sources said the Goa Police sleuths are expected to question Tejpal any moment.

The Goa Police Crime Branch team is trying to collect e-mails of Tejpal in connection with the incident and the complaint of the girl to the magazine's management, following which Tejpal is likely to be questioned, a police official said and did not rule out his arrest.

Earlier, in the day Chaudhury said she was willing to co-operate with the investigating agency and will provide all possible details sought by them. "There is a difference
between me going to the police and the state initiating a case with which I will, of course, cooperate. I have been cooperating and the information in the media is wrong," Chaudhury said.

"Right now, I am going to meet the police and yesterday I have already sent the information the police asked for. I have sent a mail earlier in the morning to them and I will be sending whatever stuff is required," she added.

On the contention that she can be charged with destruction of evidence, Chaudhury said no such case is made out and repeated her defence that she had got the editor 'to step down and apologise' despite 'the fact that there is different version'. 

Chaudhury's remarks on Friday that Tarun Tejpal had a 'different version', had drawn severe criticism all around as the general perception was that it amounted to character assassination of the victim. 

"If I am accused of destruction of evidence which is not the case as again and again I am telling you, the public record will show. I'll play itself out."  

"The law will take its course.... I have already said that getting the editor to step down or an unconditional apology despite the fact that there is a different version is not
destruction of evidence," Chaudhry said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar ruled out any political pressure in the investigation in the case saying, "I am not monitoring the case. In fact, I was briefed about the case by the police after the filing of the first information report (FIR)." 

The Chief Minister said he has told police not to be bogged down by any pressure, however important the accused is. Parrikar said that the direction of the probe into the case would be decided by the Investigating Officer.

"It is not the chief minister but the Investigating Officer who comes to an opinion," he added. The CM clarified that he was not taking any updates from the officers investigating the case. 

The Delhi Police has said that its Crime Branch will assist the special investigation team of Goa Police and provide them all the logistical and other support.

A first information report has been filed against Tejpal booking him on rape and other charges.