Sexual assault case: Tejpal moves Delhi HC for anticipatory bail

Tarun Tejpal, the recused editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine and newspaper,moved the Delhi High Court on Monday for anticipatory bail in connection with his role in a sexual assault case lodged against him in Goa.

Justice G.S. Sistani, before whom the petition was placed, will hear the matter on Tuesday.

Tejpal has also sought transit bail to approach the appropriate court in Goa.

On Sunday, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Goa, O.P Mishra, said that the team of police has left from New Delhi after carrying out the first round of questioning in connection with the sexual assault case involving Tejpal, and added that the investigation is proceeding in the right direction.

He also said that the police have obtained some relevant documents and seized certain electronic items required in this case.

"Our team in Delhi visited the Tehelka office. They have examined the Managing Editor (Shoma Chaudhury), and have obtained some relevant documents and seized certain electronic items that are required during the process of investigation," he added.

"The team was able to examine some more people in the case and after carrying out the first round of questioning, the team left from Delhi. They will carry out further investigation in this case," he said.

Earlier,Shoma Chaudhury said that she is cooperating with the team of Goa Police fully, who took her deposition for nine hours.

"All the relevant documents and E-mails I had shared with my colleagues, I shared with the police. I can"t comment how much satisfied they were but it was a courteous experience for me. I hope it brings clarity, truth and justice to the case," she said.

Chaudhury had earlier in the day disagreed with the allegation that she was avoiding going to the police to depose on the matter. While initially maintaining that it was not for her to go to the police, and that it was the young woman journalist's right to decide how to proceed in the case.

Chaudhury said: "The information to the media is wrong. I have sent a mail to the police. There is a lot of wrong information that is floating around. I cannot possibly be giving any evidence. I am cooperating with the Delhi Police."

Tejpal has suggested that the young journalist"s version of events is not entirely accurate. But in an email to her sent on Tuesday, he had admitted to a "shameful lapse of judgement that led me to attempt a sexual liaison with you on two occasions on 7 November and 8 November 2013, despite your clear reluctance that you did not want such attention from me."

Goa Police was instructed by the state government to investigate her allegations, contained in the email by her to Ms Chaudhury on Monday. That email was leaked to the press. The FIR against Tejpal lists rape by a person in a position of authority over the woman, an offence that carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison.