Tejpal could be arrested soon, Shoma quits (Roundup)

Tehekla editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal could be arrested soon, with the Goa Police Thursday rejecting his request for two days extension to appear before them. In Delhi, Tehelka's managing editor Shoma Chaudhury resigned.

Accused of sexually assaulting a junior colleague, Tejpal withdrew Thursday afternoon his anticipatory bail application filed in the Delhi High Court and also skipped a 3 p.m. deadline by which he had to report to the officer probing the case in Panaji.

"The IO (investigating officer) has not accepted the request for extension taking into account the seriousness of the crime," Goa's Deputy Inspector General of Police O.P. Mishra said.

"She is proceeding as per law," Mishra said, adding that Tejpal had formally sought extension till Saturday through a fax sent from New Delhi.

Asked if Tejpal would be arrested, he said it could be the "next logical step".

Informed sources said a special police team had been created, and it would travel to New Delhi, if necessary, to arrest Tejpal, who has accused the Goa government of acting with malice.

A fax received by the investigating officer from Tejpal pledged his "full cooperation" to the police.

Asked if the Goa Police would head to Delhi, an officer said: "These are logical steps."

Mishra rejected Tejpal's contention that he did not have adequate time to leave for Goa from Delhi.

"When the summons were issued, the journey time from Delhi to Goa was taken into account," Mishra said. He refused to comment if a non-bailable warrant had been issued against Tejpal.

Earlier, Tejpal withdrew his anticipatory bail application filed Wednesday in the Delhi High court with his counsel claiming that he would "approach the appropriate court for appropriate remedy".

"We told the judge that we are withdrawing it with a liberty to approach appropriate court for appropriate remedy, which also includes anticipatory bail, and the court allowed our plea," advocate Sandeep Kapur said.

In a related development, managing editor Shoma Chaudhury, accused of covering up the sexual assault, suddenly resigned Thursday. This coincided with a demonstration outside her Delhi house by BJP supporters.

Shoma Chaudhury said in a statement posted on the Tehelka web site that she had "taken a series of actions in response to this (junior colleague's) complaint".

She said: "To my mind, I acted on instant outrage and solidarity for our colleague as a woman and co-worker.

"I could have done many things differently and in a more measured way. I reject the allegations of a cover up because in no way could the first actions that were taken be deemed suppression of any kind."

Chaudhary's resignation came 10 days after a woman journalist with the news magazine first wrote to her and accused Tejpal of sexual assault at a luxury hotel in Goa.