The Crime Branch of Goa police filed a chargesheet against former Editor-in-Chief of Tehelka, Tarun Tejpal before Judicial Magistrate First Class, Panaji on Monday, charging him with rape, sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of his employee and female journalist on two consecutive days in the elevator of a five star hotel in north Goa during the Thinkfest event of the magazine in early November last year.
The chargesheet said there was sufficient evidence available in the form of documents, statements and electronic records on record to prove that on November 7 and 8, 2013, victim was raped, sexually harassed, and her modesty outraged by her own employer Tejpal.
The 2846-pagechargesheet filed by Inspector and Investigating Officer Sunita Sawant, which includes 132 pages of main chargesheet, 30 pages of depositions and statements of witnesses and 2684 pages of annexure papers, said Tejpal had committed offences punishable under sections 354, 354-A, 341, 342, 376, 376(2) (f) and 376(2) (k) IPC. The evidence includes the statements of the victim, other witnesses, documents and electronic records
The Crime Branch had filed an initial FIR on November 22. During the course of investigation, other additional sections 341, 342, and 376 (2) (f) among others were added.
Tejpal, who is currently lodged in Sada sub jail at Vasco, will complete 70 days in judicial custody on Monday. Earlier, on Monday, Justice Mrinalini Bhatkar of the Bombay High Court at Goa allowed Tejpal to be present on Tuesday during a hearing of his bail application in the High Court.
