Panaji: On Monday, Goa police has charged Tehelka founder
editor Tarun Tejpal with rape, sexual harassment and outraging modesty
of a woman journalist in a lift of a five-star hotel here in November
last year.
Reportedly, investigating officer Sunita Sawant has charged Tejpal
under sections 354, 354-A (sexual harassment), 341 and 342 (wrongful
restrain), 376 (rape), 376(2)(f) and 376 (2)(k) (takes advantage of his
official position and commits rape on a woman in his custody).
Police sources said that Tejpal could be sentenced for over seven years of imprisonment on these charges, if proven guilty.
The 2,684-page charge sheet filed before Chief Judicial Magistrate
Anuja Prabhudesai has examined 152 witnesses including the victim, staff
of Tehelka magazine and the investigating officer in the case.
The charge sheet mentions that there are enough statements on
record to prove that Tejpal has admitted the commission of rape, sexual
harassment and outraging the modesty of the victim.
The investigating officer has noted that there are incriminating
emails in this regard containing his apology, email letters to the
victim regarding rape, sexual harassment, and outraging her modesty
which were retrieved at his instance.
As per the complaint, the victim was reportedly sexually assaulted
by Tejpal on November 7 and the offence was repeated on November 8.
Goa Police has claimed in the charge sheet that there is sufficient
evidence available in the form of documents and statements on record to
show that Tejpal had been evading police after commission of crime.
Tejpal, 50, was arrested on November 30 last year and has since been lodged in Sada sub jail in Vasco town in Goa.
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