Sexual assault: Tarun Tejpal remanded to 12-day judicial custody

PANAJI: A Goa court today remanded Tehelka magazine founder editor Tarun Tejpal to 12-day judicial custody in the case of alleged sexual assault of a junior woman colleague.

Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Kshama Joshi remanded Tejpal to judicial custody for twelve days, after his 10-day police custody expired today.

Tejpal, accused of sexually assaulting a junior woman colleague in a hotel here in early November, was arrested by Goa Police on November 30.

He has been booked under IPC sections including 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) and 376(2)(k) (rape by a person of a woman in his custody taking advantage of his official position).

Police sources said that Tejpal, who is currently in Panjim police lock up, would be lodged in Sada sub jail at Vasco.

Tehelka magazine's former Managing Editor Shoma Chaudhury was questioned by the Goa crime branch on December 8, in connection with the alleged sexual assault.

Her interrogation took place a day after she recorded her statement before the chief judicial magistrate here.