Tehelka: Case filed for disclosing rape victim's identity

Goa police today registered a case against unknown person for disclosing the identity of the victim who was allegedly raped by Tehelka Founder Editor Tarun Tejpal, and for circulating "defamatory" emails against her.

Deputy Inspector General O P Mishra told PTI that a case under section 228 of the Indian Penal Code and under section 66 of the Information Technology Act has been registered by the Crime Branch here.

"The case has been registered against unknown person and investigation is on," Mishra said.

The victim had complained to Goa police that a "systematic and virulent campaign was launched to falsify facts and the truth in the case."

The Crime Branch, which is investigating the case, has received the complaint by the victim, whose statement was also recorded by sleuths in Mumbai yesterday.

Tejpal is currently lodged in Sada sub jail in Goa, after his bail petition was rejected by a local court.

The 50-year-old journalist has been accused of sexually assaulting the victim, his colleague, during an event in Goa last year.

"I have remained silent against this campaign of slander and vilification, although it has caused me hurt and trauma, because I have full faith in the legal process and respect its sanctity," the girl has said.

The victim has said that the photograph which was available on 'Tehelka' server, has been circulated, illegally and without her consent, via email, to several members of the society, including senior media persons.

"It is being presented completely out of context along with several malicious comments about my appearance and veracity of my complaint," she said adding, "This email clearly discloses my identity and seeks to deny me the protection granted by law, by encouraging a wide dissemination of the content of the same."

The victim has called it a "deliberate move to obstruct the course of justice and prevent me from pursuing my complaint by tarnishing my character with total lies and making it impossible for me to exist in society, and in particular within my own fraternity."

"The email contains information that is grossly offensives and has a menacing character and is aimed at intimidating her," she said.