The journalist who accused Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal of sexually assaulting her has resigned from the organisation. In a letter mailed to managing editor Shoma Chaudhary on Monday, the young woman said she was “deeply traumatised by the lack of support offered by the organisation.”
The resignation came even as the police in Goa said they had made contact with the victim, and were preparing to record her testimony.
Dr. O.P. Mishra, Deputy Inspector General of Police, said the police were conducting “systematic investigation of the case and do not want to leave any loophole.” He added: “We request you to refrain from publishing any news item that will go against the victim. We are prepared to take action if sensitive details of the case are put in public domain.”
Disappointment
In her letter, the woman says she had trusted Ms. Chaudhury to take appropriate action, but had been disappointed by her failure to do so. Tehelka consulting editor Jay Mazoomdaar and assistant editor Revati Laul had earlier submitted their resignation to protest the magazine management’s handling of the case. There are reports that literary editor Shougat Dasgupta has also stepped down, and that other staff members were preparing to do so. The Hindu could not independently confirm these reports.
Earlier on Saturday, the woman had issued a statement suggesting she and her family were being subjected to pressure and intimidation to ‘protect’ Mr. Tejpal.
Mr. Tejpal on Monday moved the Delhi High Court seeking transit anticipatory bail, asking that he not be arrested before he has an opportunity to travel to Goa to present his version of events to police.
In apparently-conflicting statements, Mr. Tejpal has claimed his sexual encounter with the woman was consensual, but said he was guilty of “misjudgment.”