Tarun Tejpal seeks more time to appear before Goa police

PANAJI/NEW DELHI: Tehelka Editor Tarun Tejpal, who was asked to appear before the Goa police by 3 PM today, has sought more time to present himself before the crime branch investigating the alleged sexual assault by him against a woman journalist colleague earlier this month.

Tejpal wrote a letter to Goa police saying he will appear before it on Saturday afternoon, his counsel Sandeep Kapur said.

In the letter, the Tehelka Editor said, "I am ready to cooperate with Goa police in investigation."

His counsel said Tejpal will not move Supreme Court for any relief.

Earlier, the Goa police expected Tejpal to present himself before it, but later DGP Kishan Kumar said he has sought time since he got the police summons only this morning.

The DGP refused to answer a question whether the Goa police would get a non-bailable warrant issued against him.

Tejpal, who failed to get any immediate relief on his anticipatory bail petition in the Delhi High Court, was yesterday summoned by the Goa police to appear before it in connection with the probe in the case.

Accused of attempting a cover up, Shoma Chaudhury today resigned as Managing Editor of Tehelka.

The victim, a former journalist of Tehelka, who was allegedly sexually assaulted in a lift in a five-star hotel in Goa earlier this month, yesterday arrived in Panaji and recorded her statement under Section 164 of CrPC before a local court.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had yesterday dismissed Tejpal's accusations that the BJP government in the state was pursuing vendetta against him because of the sting operation conducted by his organisation that unseated party President Bangaru Laxman and other issues.

The woman journalist resigned from Tehelka on Monday.