Tejpal's bail plea rejected, arrest soon

A court here Saturday rejected the anticipatory bail application of Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, accused of sexually assaulting a junior colleague.

The much-delayed order, which was pronounced just a shade past 8 p.m. by North Goa District and Sessions judge Anuja Prabhudessai, paves the way for Tejpal's arrest.

Police inspector Sunita Sawant told reporters that Tejpal, who is presently at the Crime Branch office near Panaji, would be arrested as soon as she presents the arrest warrant to the editor.

The order, which allows Tejpal to avail of home food, bedding and clothing during his time in police custody, was pronounced by the judge nearly three-and-a-half-hours after 4.30 p.m., the hour by which Prabhudessai was initially scheduled to make the announcement.

Sources said that the delay was caused because of the time taken by the judge to dictate the order to her steno.