Goa police to file charge sheet against Tarun Tejpal on February 17

PANAJI: Goa police will file charge sheet on Monday against Tehelka founder-editor Tarun Tejpal who was accused of sexually assaulting his woman colleague last year.

The charge sheet would be filed before Principal Additional Sessions court judge Anuja Prabhudesai, sources said today.

Tejpal (50) has been accused of raping the woman in a lift at a star hotel near here during Tehelka's ThinkFest in November 2013.

The high-profile journalist was arrested by the Crime Branch of Goa police on November 30 after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by a local court.

Tejpal is currently in judicial custody at the Sada sub-jail here.

When contacted, a senior police official refused to divulge details of the chargesheet.

Tejpal had been booked under sections 354-A ( sexual harassment, physical contact, advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures or any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature), 376 (rape), 376(2)(k) (rape by a person of a woman in his custody taking advantage of his official position), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 342 (wrongful confinement) of the Indian Penal Code.

Tejpal had denied the charges. According to sources, the investigating officer had recorded several statements, including that of former Tehelka managing editor Shoma Chaudhury and Tejpal's daughter, along with the deposition of the victim in connection with the case.