Tejpal case: Woman complains about slanderous email

The woman journalist who has accused Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal of sexual assault has officially complained about a slanderous email aimed at maligning her image, Goa Police said Thursday.

The complaint was addressed to the superintendent of police (Crime Branch), Deputy Inspector General O.P. Mishra told reporters at the police headquarters here.

A Goa Police team was on its way back from Mumbai after officially recording the woman's statement, he said.

"The victim emailed us yesterday (Wednesday) saying she received an email and a photo with objectionable content. After receiving the complaint, our team left for Mumbai to officially record her statement. They are on their way back to Goa now," Mishra said.

Goa Police would plan its next move after examining the content of the woman's complaint, he said.

The woman said in her complaint that along with casting aspersions on her character, the email also suggested that Tejpal was being framed.

She also attached a photo of her posing with Hollywood actor Robert de Niro and Tejpal Nov 10, a day after the alleged sexual assault.

"While my face has been superficially 'concealed' with a black strip covering my eyes, the photograph nonetheless discloses my identity by identifying the context where it was taken, as well as the other members of the photograph," she said in her complaint.

The woman said the email suggested that her body language did not suggest that she had been sexually assaulted.

The woman, who was a part of the team organising a conference in Goa, was put in charge of chaperoning de Niro, one of the star guests at the event.

"This latest attempt to muzzle and silence me can no longer be treated lightly," the woman said in her complaint.