A group of BJP activists, led by party leader Vijay Jolly, on Thursday defaced the residence of the former Tehelka managing editor, Shoma Chaudhury, here accusing her of conspiring with magazine Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal to intimidate a woman journalist, who has alleged he sexually assaulted her.
Cases have been registered against Mr. Jolly and his supporters various Sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act. Mr. Jolly has been asked to appear at the Saket police station.
The former MLA described the incident as a “spontaneous outpouring of anger” by his party workers, who were miffed at the “open support Ms. Chaudhury extended to Mr. Tejpal” in the alleged sexual assault case.
Later in the evening, Mr. Jolly told The Hindu : “If someone was hurt by my peaceful protest and if my party’s prestige has been affected adversely, I offer an unconditional apology on the subject.”
The BJP distanced itself from the episode and senior leaders criticised Mr. Jolly’s act. “Vijay Jolly was advised not to do it. I would not advise anybody in the BJP to do this. Won’t justify it… Sushma Swaraj criticised it. I do too,” said party leader Arun Jaitley.
