Panaji, November 26: The Goa Police on Tuesday recorded the testimony of the woman journalist, who has charged Tehelka Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal with sexual assault. Her videotaped testimony “tallies entirely” with her complaint in the email she had sent the magazine’s Managing Editor Shoma Chaudhury last week, sources in the police said.
The statement was recorded in Mumbai by a Goa Police team led by investigating officer Sunita Sawant. “She is cooperating with the police. Her statement has been recorded by our team,” said Deputy Inspector General of police O.P. Mishra. The statement was recorded under Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code. On the basis of legal advice, the police decided not to record her statement before a magistrate, the sources said. However, the victim has expressed her willingness to record her statement in Goa before a magistrate, the sources said.
The police have also issued an “immigration checkpost alert” against Mr. Tejpal to all airports, ports and border checkposts in the country.
Meanwhile, noted feminist and publisher Urvashi Butalia has said she will not be part of the committee the magazine was planning to set up to probe the charges against Mr. Tejpal.
