Tip-off led to Tejpal prison raid

Tip-offs from "good" journalists in the national capital led to the surprise raid on Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal's prison cell, according to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Parrikar, speaking at a public function here, alleged that Tejpal from whom a mobile phone was allegedly recovered during a raid Feb 23, was speaking to Delhi-based journalists every morning.

"There are journalists in Delhi who reported to us that he was speaking to reporters from Delhi every morning," Parrikar said.

"The intelligence (for the raid) came from the Delhi press," he said.

Nine mobile phones were allegedly found in the Sada prison complex housing Tejpal during a sudden raid on February 23.

Prison officials claim that a SIM card was also found in the editor's shirt collar.

Tejpal, however told the raiding team that the phone could belong to another inmate living in his cell.

While prison authorities had called the raid "routine", Parrikar claimed the raid was made possible because of "good" journalists who co-operated with the government agencies.

The Goa chief minister was last week accused of slandering the journalist community in Goa, by questioning their educational qualifications, networth and intellect.