Goa police raids Tejpal's home, finds him missing

Tejpal's wife refuses to divulge details about his whereabouts

A Goa police team today raided Tehelka Editor Tarun Tejpal's house here in a bid to arrest him but returned empty handed after finding that he was not there.

Armed with a non-bailable warrant, the team reached the residence of Tejpal, who has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman colleague, in Jungpura area of South Delhi a little after 6 AM and spent over 90 minutes.

One of the officials later said they did not find Tejpal in the house. Crime Branch personnel from Delhi police also accompanied the Goa Police team.

Tejpal's wife Geetan Batra refused to divulge to the police any detail of his whereabouts, police said.

Also Read: Tejpal granted interim bail till 2.30 pm

Police left his house and may look at other possible locations where he could be found. The police action came after they rejected Tejpal's request for time till Saturday to appear before them.

After the rejection of his request, Tejpal's lawyer said he would appear before the police today in Panaji and extend "complete and full cooperation" in the investigation.

Also Read: Tejpal never planned to join probe: Goa police officer

Goa police, however, yesterday moved a court and secured a non-bailable warrant against 50-year-old Tejpal.

On Wednesday, Goa police had directed Tejpal to appear before it by 3 PM yesterday. The direction had come after the victim, who has alleged that she was sexually assaulted by him in a lift in a five-star hotel in Goa, recorded her statement under Section 164 of CrPC before a magistrate in Panaji.

The controversy also saw resignation of Shoma Chaudhury as Managing Editor of Tehelka, who is being accused of attempting to cover up the matter.

Also Read: Police carry out raids to trace Tejpal

Chaudhury sent her resignation yesterday as there was speculation that she may also be named in the FIR for certain alleged acts of commission and omission after the scandal became public.