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Goa Police Sunday did not rule out the possibility of slapping fresh charges in the sexual assault case against Tehelka Editor Tarun Tejpal,saying many things have emerged in its probe. At a press conference in Panaji at the Police Headquarters,Deputy Inspector General of Police O P Mishra said,”There are many things which emerged during the course of investigation…if additional charges are required,they will be added according to the development in the course of action.”
In Delhi,a three-member Goa police team quizzed Tehelka Managing Editor Shoma Chaudhury and three employees who had been contacted by the victim to corroborate her version. Contrary to reports,the team returned to Panaji without questioning Tejpal who may be contemplating moving court and seeking probe by an independent agency.
Police seized from Tehelka office a hard disc,transcripts of emails exchanged among Tejpal,Choudhury and the victim and other documents.
Mishra said that the Crime Branch team that had visited Delhi,has examined Chaudhury and also taken into possession relevant documents.
“They have also seized certain electronic items during the investigation,” the DIG added. The police team,he said,has also “examined more people in the case.”
“After carrying out the first round of questioning,the team has left Delhi,” he said,adding they will carry out further investigation.
Chaudhury was questioned for around nine hours from 4:45 pm on Sunday to around 2 am at the magazine’s office in posh Greater Kailash-II in South Delhi. Her mobile phone,an iPad and her laptop were also screened by the police,according to police sources.
“Yesterday,at the Tehelka office,the Goa police took my
deposition for about 9 hours,it was extremely courteous
experience and I fully cooperated and showed every document that was relevant,every email exchange that was there between my colleagues,the management,it was shared,it was a good experience and I hope it helps bring clarity and justice to the entire case,” Chaudhury said today
Mishra said the police are yet to establish contacts with
Tejpal,the accused in the case.
“As of now,we have not established contact with Tejpal.
But we will proceed as per the standard protocol followed in
such cases,” he said.
“At appropriate time,we will get in touch. But I will not
tell you at what time we will be getting in touch with him,”
the DIG said.
The police,he said,has also taken cognisance of the
content related to the case on the social networking websites.
“There are many more things which are emerging related to
various portions of the e-mail and other things related to
this case,” he said.
“It is coming out on social websites and at many places.
We must understand that there is a broad principle and
protocol that is followed when we are investigating the cases like sexual assault and in this case the sensitivity of every stakeholder,including people who are reporting this,is very important,” he said.
The DIG said that some of such actions (posts on social
networking sites) may have criminal implications.
“We have taken note of these developments and are
verifying that. In the due process of investigation,we will
not hesitate to take action if certain violations take place,”
he said.
Responding to a question whether Hollywood actor
Robert De Niro,whose name is mentioned in the FIR as the girl was coordinating with him,would also be questioned,Mishra said,”When we investigate the case,there are many things that emerge and whose statement we need to take that would be done.”
The legendary actor was in Goa to attend the Tehelka
Thinkfest,a high profile conference at a five star resort,
where Tejpal had allegedly sexually assaulted his colleague
twice in an elevator.
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