Tehelka: HC refuses to grant Tarun Tejpal interim protection from arrest

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to grant interim protection against arrest to Tehelka Editor Tarun Tejpal, who has been accused of sexually assaulting his junior colleague on November 7 and 8 at a hotel in Goa.

Justice Sunita Gupta also asked the counsel for the Goa police to file its reply, if any, and fixed the hearing of Tejpal's anticipatory bail plea for hearing on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Delhi police also opposed the plea for grant of any transit bail to Tejpal who termed the FIR as politically motivated alleging that the Goa chief minister was taking undue interest in the matter.

"I am opposing the matter due to the seriousness of the allegations against the accused," the counsel for the Goa police said, adding that he has not been supplied with the copy of the petition by the accused journalist.

Senior advocate K T S Tulsi and Geeta Luthra, appearing for Tejpal, said that the Tehelka Editor be protected against any possible arrest till Wednesday when this court will recommence hearing on the bail application.

Refusing to grant interim protection, Justice Gupta said, "I don't have even the copy of the FIR with the petition. Let them file the reply then I will see...."

Tulsi submitted, "This has become a political battle. I am entitled to interim protection as has been the practice in this court.

"At best, the case is of section 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman) of the IPC and it is the figment of imagination that it has become a case of section 376 (rape) of the IPC. Even the girl has not made any statement to the police."