Goa CM wants Tejpal case fast-tracked

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar wants the sexual assault case against Tehelka editor-in-chief to be fast-tracked. He also rejected Tarun Tejpal's claim that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was pressuring police to act against him.

"Such high profile cases should not be dragged on. They are basically a shocker to public faith," Parrikar said, suggesting that fast tracking the case was a possibility.

"I don't come under pressure from anyone. My only instruction to them (police) is to not get pressurized due to the position of the accused. Do it without fear and favour. That's all," Parrikar said.

Tejpal in his anticipatory bail application filed before the Delhi High Court Tuesday had said that Tehelka's crusading journalism and his opposing ideology was the reason why the BJP was using police to nail him.

"Instant investigation being carried out by the Goa Police is patently tainted, unfair and is being used as an opportunity to satisfy the long standing grudge of the political executive against the works and ideological stand of the present applicant," Tejpal's application had said.

The anticipatory bail hearing is expected to be held Wednesday.

Parrikar also said that the charge made against him about taking a keen interest in the Tejpal case and seeking hourly briefings from police was false.

"If anything like that can ever be proved, I will quit politics. I believe that law should be followed in letter and principle," Parrikar said.

Tejpal is accused of sexually assaulting a colleague journalist.