Crime branch formally arrests Tejpal
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 30 November 2013 21:39 IST
Tehelka founder editor and rape accused Tarun Tejpal was formally arrested at the crime branch, where he was sitting while his anticipatory bail plea was rejected.
He was arrested almost after one hour, at 9.30 pm, after Panaji district and sessions judge Anuja Prabhudesai rejected the anticipatory bail plea, delivering the order at 8.30 pm.
Tejpal has been accused of rape, rape by a person of a woman in his custody taking advantage of his official position, committing persistent sexual assault and outraging modesty.
The charges have a punishment of minimum ten years and up to a life term.
Police sources disclosed to goanews.com that Tejpal would be now taken for medical examination at the Goa Medical College hospital, after which he would be locked up at Panaji town police station.
He will be produced before Panaji JMFC tomorrow for remand, seeking 14-day police custody.
The police sources also informed that Tejpal was not interrogated till now, though he has been coming to the crime branch since yesterday.
He had reported to the crime branch yesterday, where he arrived straight from the air port, to furnish the surety of Rs 25,000 for the interim bail he was granted, pending hearing of his anticipatory bail application.
Tejpal also reported to the crime branch today morning, after which he sat down in the district court during the hearing and later went back to the crime branch in the evening while the order on his bail plea was being pronounced.
The strategy was to create an impression that he has been co-operating with the police consistently and need not be taken into custody for interrogation.
His lawyers had assured the court that the rape accused would be in Goa, making himself available for interrogation and would also not go to Mumbai, where the rape accused has been presently living.
The strategy however did not impresse judge Prabhudesai and his bail plea was rejected.
“We have co-operated with the police and we will continue doing so”, Adv Geeta Luthra, the lawyer of Tejpal, told the media persons at the crime branch office.
Tejpal has been accused to raping a junior colleague twice on 7 and 8 November at Grand Hyatt at Bambolim during THiNK Fest, organised by Tehelka.
