Panaji: Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal was Saturday night arrested by Goa police after a court here rejected his anticipatory bail plea holding that prima facie he was involved in acts which constitute custodial rape and outraging of the modesty of his woman colleague.
The arrest of 50-year-old Tejpal came ten days after it became public that he had allegedly sexually assaulted a woman journalist colleague during an event here early this month.
Tejpal was taken to Goa Medical College near Panaji for medical examination, three hours after his arrest. Crime branch officials said Tejpal was placed under arrest at 9 PM, minutes after his anticipatory bail was rejected by sessions court in Panaji.
The 50-year-old was in Crime Branch headquarters in Dona Paula while the formalities were being completed, they said adding, he would spend his night in Panaji police lock-up.
"The statement of the victim and the documents in the form of emails etc., details of which need not be reproduced here, prima facie indicate that the applicant, who was her mentor and father figure, had not only outraged her modesty but had misused his position, betrayed her trust and violated her body," District and Sessions Anuja Prabhudesai observed in her 25-page order.
The court also rejected the defence contention that the case against Tejpal was politically motivated or that anti-rape laws were 'draconian'.
Tejpal is allowed to meet his family members and get home-cooked food when arrested, TV channels reported.
My body belongs to me: Tehelka victim
Tejpal's cat-and-mouse game with the police ended 90 minutes after District and Sessions Judge Anuja Prabhudesai rejected his anticipatory bail plea which was argued for the last two days and strongly opposed by the prosecution.
The 50-year-old Tehelka founder was formally taken into custody at the Crime Branch headquarters in Dona Paula where Tejpal, along with his family, was waiting for the delayed court order for three and half hours from 4.30 pm.
Tejpal's wife, daughter, brother and his friend Sanjay Roy came out of the police outpost once he was placed under arrest. He will be taken for mandatory medical test.
Known for investigative journalism through sting operations, Tejpal dodged a combined team of Goa and Delhi police which had raided his house in Delhi at the crack of dawn on Friday. He landed in Goa only after the Sessions Judge gave him interim protection against arrest order till her final order.
The whole episode came to light on November 20 with Tejpal accepting 'misconduct' against the journalist and offered to recuse himself from the post and the office for six months.
Since then, he has made flip-flops, claiming it was a consensual act and virtually questioning the integrity of the woman journalist who had alleged that he attempted sexual assault on her twice in a lift in a five-star hotel here.
The court, in its order, said "thus, the material on record prima facie indicates that the applicant is involved in committing acts which constitute offences under Section 354A (outraging the modesty of a woman) and 376 (2)(K) (custodial rape) of IPC".
The judge said the offence under Section 354A is punishable with imprisonment of seven years whereas the offence under Section 376 (2) (K) is punishable with imprisonment which can extend to life.
"This, being the case, there can be no dispute that the offences alleged are of serious nature. The gravity of the offence, though not the sole criteria, is one of the essential factors, which would disentitle the applicant for bail", the judge said.
Next - Tejpal's arrest a stern warning to all: Kiran Bedi
Tejpal's arrest a stern warning to all: Kiran Bedi
New Delhi: Reacting to the arrest of Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal by a Goa court on Saturday, retired IPS officer Kiran Bedi said that 'it was a very strong message to all Tejpals in offices'.
"There is always a Tejpal lurking in many many offices. They have been feared so far. They have not got exposed," she said, adding in the present case, the victim has been consistent and the accused has been inconsistent, she added.
Senior Advocate Majeed Memon said Tejpal has been arrested for custodial interrogation and has not yet been proved guilty.
