Tejpal denied bail

Primary reasons for denial are calling associates mobile phone from his prison cell and his daughter's visit to the rape victim's house

Former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal's bail plea in a case of sexual assault was Friday rejected by the Bombay High Court bench here which said it apprehended that the senior scribe would flee from justice and tamper evidence.

Justice Utkarsh Bakre also said that calling business associates and friends over mobile phone from his prison cell, as well his daughter's visit to the rape victim's house were two key reasons why bail could not be granted to the 50-year-old journalist.

Tejpal has already spent over three months in police and judicial custody since his arrest Nov 30, after a nationwide police hunt.

A junior woman colleague accused Tejpal of rape during ThinkFest, a high profile conference organised by the Tehelka founder in Goa which was attended by Hollywood star Robert de Niro.

The victim claimed that she was sexually assaulted twice Nov 7 and 8.

Tejpal is presently lodged in the Sada sub jail located in Vasco, 35 km from here.