Tarun Tejpal charged with rape, police to seek day-to-day trial

PANAJI: Tehelka founder editor Tarun Tejpal was today charged by Goa police with rape, sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of a junior colleague, 80 days after his arrest, and could face imprisonment of more than seven years if convicted.


Police filed a 2,684-page charge sheet against Tejpal, in jail since December 1, under sections 354, 354-A (sexual harassment), 341 and 342 (wrongful restraint), 376 (rape), 376(2)(f) and 376 (2)(k) (taking advantage of official position and raping a woman in custody).

The charge sheet, filed in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Anuja Prabhudesai, has relied on emails and text messages between the victim and Tejpal, the statements of witnesses, besides CCTV footages of the 5 star hotel lobby outside the lift where the alleged incident happened.

Police examined 152 witnesses during the probe. The charge sheet has placed great reliance on the "incriminating" emails exchanged between Tejpal, once celebrated for his sting operations, and the victim, including the one tendering apology for his actions, to nail him.

Later, briefing the media, Deputy Inspector General of Police O P Mishra said the Special Public Prosecutor in the case would request the trial court judge to conduct trial on a daily basis and conclude the proceedings within 60 days.

"Under section 309(1), this is an amended section (of CrPC), the Special Public Prosecutor, is going to request the trial judge to carry out the trial of the case on a day-to-day basis.

"As per the amended section, there is a provision that the offences which are attracted, which we have registered in this particular case, the trial should be completed within 60 days of the filing of the charge sheet," he said.