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Tehelka row: Tejpal withdraws bail plea, Shoma resigns

Moushumi Das Gupta , Hindustan Times New Delhi, November 28, 2013 First Published: 08:44 IST(28/11/2013) | Last Updated: 16:42 IST(28/11/2013) Ads by Google Elevators Wholesale www.Alibaba.com - Choose from 1M+ Verified Suppliers. Contact Directly & Get Live Quotes!

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Tehelka founder-editor Tarun Tejpal on Thursday withdrew his anticiatory bail plea from Delhi high court in the sexual assault case against him, reports said.

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Tejpal may now approach a court in Goa in the case, according to reports. Delhi HC had on Wednesday reserved its order on Tejpal's bail application and was to hear the case on Friday. He had earlier sought two more days to appear before the Goa Police, police said. Tejpal sent a letter to Crime Branch police inspector Sunita Sawant saying he needed more time to respond to the police summons to appear before them by 3pm on Thursday. He had promised to co-operate with police who are investigating charges of the assault at a hotel in Goa

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this month. Meanwhile, BJP MLA Vijay Jolly led a protest against Shoma Chaudhury, former managing editor of Tehelka, and demanded her immediate arrest for allegedly trying to "cover up" the sexual harassment complaint filed against Tejpal. BJP supporters raised slogans against Chaudhury and Tejpal outside her Saket residence in south Delhi. Jolly also defaced the name plate with Chaudhury's name and wrote "accused" over it. Chaudhury was escorted by police officers to get inside her car as the crowd protested outside her house. She told reporters that she will address the media later. Chaudhury had resigned from her post earlier in the day. Chaudhury under fire Chaudhury had faced heat for the apology tendered by Tejpal to the complainant and the in-house probe route suggested by her to redress her complaint of alleged sexual assault instead of seeking a proper police investigation. Tejpals apology where he confessed to his misconduct is a crucial part of the evidence being collected by the Goa Police to build their case against him. In her resignation letter mailed to Tehelka editorial staff, Chaudhury wrote, as a result of what's transpired over the past few days my integrity has repeatedly been questioned by people from our fraternity and, in fact, by the public at large. I would like to take cognizance of this. I have worked hard for Tehelka for many years and what we have stood for is very dear to me and I hold it in high esteem. I do not want questions raised about my integrity to tarnish the image of Tehelka, which it has done in the past week. Therefore, I resign as Managing Editor with immediate effect. In her letter, the managing editor also denied charges of an alleged cover up and of not standing by her feminist positions. While I accept that I could have done many things differently and in a more measured way, I reject the allegations of a cover-up because in no way could the first actions that were taken be deemed suppression of any kind. As for my feminist positions, I believe I acted in consonance with them by giving my colleagues account precedence over everything else, she stated in her resignation letter. The woman journalist, he allegedly sexually assaulted, recorded her statement before judicial magistrate (first class) Sarika Phaldessai in Goa capital on Wednesday, a day after the police recorded her statement at her residence in Mumbai. She is also learnt to have corroborated the FIR the Goa Police filed after taking suo moto cognizance of the complaint she had mailed to Chaudhury, making Tejpals arrest imminent. Under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 2013, Tejpals alleged assault made in the elevator of a starred hotel in Goa during the magazines THiNK festival falls in the definition of rape. Chaudhury's resignation comes a day after the National Commission for Women asked her to explain in detail the measures she took to redress the complaint filed against Tejpal. On Wednesday, the Tehelka managing editor had written to the young journalist accepting the latters resignation. Denying the victims charge that she did not respond adequately to her complaint, Chaudhary wrote in her letter, Questions have been asked about why I did not go to the police. In our conversation, you had mentioned that you had considered this option but did not want to go that route. I thought I should respect that and had no reason to disbelieve this, as you had already spoken to journalists about your sexual assault, and both they, and you, could have gone to the police in the ten days that transpired before you brought your complaints to me. Chaudhury in her letter said that she is inexpressibly dismayed by the complainants charges that she (Chaudhury) did not stand by her. From the moment I received your complaint, my actions, were driven by outrage on your behalf, urgent concern, and a desire to assuage your sense of injury despite my immediate and assertive actions in support of you, I stand wrongly defaced, the letter states. Choudhury on Wednesday had also denied indulging in character assassination of the woman colleague. "I strongly reject the allegations in the media that I am involved in any manner with any slander, intimidation or character assassination of the complainant journalist," Choudhury said in a brief statement. "This is a malicious campaign that has no basis in truth," she said. Read: Full text of Shoma Chaudhury's resignation letter BJP-Congress war of words The BJP-Congress slugfest over Tejpal affair continued on Wednesday, with senior BJP leader and leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj saying a Union cabinet minister is "shielding" the Tehelka editor.

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Tehelka managing editor Shoma Chaudhury resigns 49 comments 19 minutes ago Bigg Boss 7: I have better things to do than care about Kushal, says Salman Khan - Hindustan Times 487 comments 7 hours ago Congress rule has 'destroyed' nation: Modi 5 comments 18 minutes ago Delhi polls: unfazed by sting, 1,200 AAP supporters attend concert 384 comments 1 day ago BJP honours MLAs accused of fanning Muzaffarnagar riots during Modi rally

Without naming anyone, but probably referring to law minister Kapil Sibal, Swaraj tweeted, "Union cabinet minister who is the founder and patron of Tehelka is shielding Tarun Tejpal." Hours later, Sibal told reporters, Because I have been attacking (Narendra) Modi and attacking the BJP, obviously for them this is the only way to spread lie and to vilify my name. These political leaders who are tangentially talking about me should name me if they have the courage," he added, while promising to say more at a press conference on Thursday. Referring to reports that he owned 80% of Tehelkas shares, he said he had never owned a single share in the magazine. His sharpest reaction was to messages circulating in the social media and which said Tejpals mother was his real sister. It is a lie. I have only one sister, Asha Nanda, and she lives in Maharani Bagh. I didnt expect RSS and BJP to stoop to this level. They have the patent to spread lies, but I didnt expect the same from the leader of Opposition, he said. Tehelka sting operations, which showed former BJP president Bangaru Laxman accepting bribes for facilitating a defence deal and accused in Gujarat anti-Muslim pogrom confessing to murdering innocent people, had bought a bad name to the saffron party. Its leaders have been very vocal in condemning Tejpal. Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who has been actively briefing media about the developments in the case and claiming neutrality at the same time, asked Tejpal if he was a "Congress stooge", and also why were Congress union ministers like Jayanthi Natarajan supporting him. The Goa CM said his government was duty bound to give the girl justice after she came out openly and was cooperating with the police. Tejpal has alleged that the Goa government was giving him a bad time because the ruling BJP had a "long standing grudge" against him for the investigative journalism he did when the party headed the central government. (With IANS inputs) Poll: Is Shoma's resignation the beginning of the end for Tehelka?

530 comments 2 days ago Have no illusions about Modi's idea of India Hindustan Times 232 comments 13 hours ago

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Read: Tehelka case: Delhi HC offers no relief, Tejpal faces arrest

SHOMA CHAUDHURY

TEHELKA SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE

TARUN TEJPAL

TEHELKA SEX SCANDAL

TEHELKA

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Shoma Chaudhury stalling Tejpal probe: Goa CM, DGP Both the Goa chief minister and the state police chief have accused Tehelka managing editor Shoma Chaudhury of stalling investigation into the rape case, filed in Panaji against the news weekly's editor-inchief Tarun Tejpal. Speaking to a television Shoma quashes victim's charges, accepts resignation 'Shoma yet to respond on internal committee' Shoma Chaudhury says ready to cooperate with Goa Police in Tehelka case ... Tehelka isn't hushing up allegations against Tejpal: Shoma Chaudhury Goa cops return without quizzing Tejpal; Shoma Chaudhury says cooperated fully

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50 comments Join the discussion

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Good for her. She doesn't have to act like a cover for the filth called Tejpal. Shoma will find better opportunities elsewhere. But it would have been good if she did not utter verses in favor of Tejpal which landed her in such soup.
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rebel 2

35 minutes ago
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she looks pretty, but is actually a devil.

2

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Candor2 2

an hour ago

Why he needs more time? Police must go to his house and drag him to Goa.
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as hok

an hour ago

Tehelka live up to its name. It came as bolt and went off as bolt. Ethics and morals are required for long innings.
4
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P raveen S ax ena

3 hours ago

The courage of the victim journalist has thoroughly exposed the ugly truth about the self styled "Left- Liberals" and the "warriors of secularism " which shall now be difficult to hide and suppress...the Con Party patronage notwithstanding. "Secularism" has been a shield to many corrupt ..scamsters.. looters and plunderers of public money .rapists mafia don turned politicians ..So is this farce coming to and end or will it take some more time...may be some more
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S anjay 2

3 hours ago
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The Title should have been "Shome resigns to fate"

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S urendra B ans al

3 hours ago

it is curtains for congress. tehleka gained status backed by funding by congress and pseudo secularists post 2002 - predicting rise of congress. similarly its downfall or virtual crashing show the future of congress post 2014 elections.
10 1

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S iDevilIam

3 hours ago

One Western state person, who shall remain, nam0less, of immense power has sent his powerful 'flying-bird' to get Tarun Tejpal to his execution in Goa. Thank God for the small mercies. Jai Ho! Never question, investigate or doubt about WSP of BJP, a veritable 'tower of power', the tallest in the world, made of 'loh' Oops, love by a man, Oops, 'purush.' Eh narubhau, hun hamza? ...and I am Sid Harth
2 4

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ns rajan

4 hours ago

Avatar

ns rajan

4 hours ago

The magazine may have trapped Bangaru Laxman and earned the eternal gratitude of the Congress party and perhaps also carried some "investigative" pieces. But the one and only real "Tehelka" it has created is this disaster of its own 'founding Editor' and the total collapse of its own credibility. 'Good riddance', to both.
20 1
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manohar_T

nsrajan 4 hours ago

One Tehelka may go and there will be many more such magazines. There always be space for such journalism. Recall the sting operation in which Prakash Javdekar (of the most "upright" party of India) was caught trying to influence the Prajapati fake encounter case.
9 1

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Candor2

4 hours ago

Tejpal was a womanizer which gets corroborated with his appointing females on almost all posts. Shoma too must have been his pal and exploited and sole reason for her trying to suppress the matter within the organisation by merely tendering the apology.
19 3
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This comment is awaiting moderation. Show comment.

manohar_T

anand 4 hours ago

You seem to "know" so much, can you enlighten us under which sections of the IPC is she culpable? What is her crime?
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Indian

manohar_T an hour ago

If charges on tejpal proved thn she can b charged for misinterpreting the facts about the crime n misleading the police investigation. but still she is not directly involved in this.......... but still charges are needed to be proved.....
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gupt adk j

5 hours ago

This woman is as guilty as Tejpal and should be held to account even though she has resigned.She did her best to defend the indefensible even forgetting things like honesty,integrity concern for a fellow woman.
27 2
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Omk ar Naray an

guptadkj 2 hours ago

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> TEJPAL on the RUN. Not handing himself to the Goa Police. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< sickular TEJPAL on the RUN. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< sickular TEJPAL on the RUN. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< sickular TEJPAL on the RUN. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
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S wamy G

6 hours ago

The major issue with Shoma Chaudhary was that there was prima facie reasons to believe that a criminal misconduct had occurred in the organization she is supposed to be managing. At that point, irrespective of whether the victim wanted it reported to police or not, she is obligated to report it to police. There is no evidence that she even tried to convince the victim to go with reporting to police. She is too experienced to assume that she did not know better. So that leaves us with the inevitable conclusion that she does not think that she is bound by the laws of the land. She seems to think that she and her organization are exceptional and hence the laws of the land do not apply either. She resigned; she will get another job and knowing our media, they will provide her plenty of opportunities to appear on TV shows and what not. Still she does not seem to get it that she is not above law and this country does not go by the rules she lays out. - SwamyG
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neeraj j

6 hours ago

We have seen several examples of the mob mentality of Indian public. Anna hazard was one,

Avatar We have seen several examples of the mob mentality of Indian public. Anna hazard was one, milk feeding to Ganesha, Modi worshipping, etc are other examples. Its like this that when a thief is caught, Along with the aggreieved , bystanders also start beating the thief not because they are aggrieved but only because they enjoy beating someone. Ultimately a common thief dies at the hand of the mob and no one gets punishedpunished. Bjp is master of trying to milk this mob mentality. Bjp wanted it's revenge and they have got it. Bjp's prime target was to shut down the Tehelka and cast aspersions on all the work Tehelka had done in the past. But no one can erase the memories of Bangaru Laxman accepting wads of cash for which he has been tried and convicted.
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Ques t A ds

neeraj j 3 hours ago

Nor can anyone erase the fact that UPA ministers have gone to jail, and are embroiled in a far larger corruption environment: Commonwealth Games, 2G, Congress Bureau of Investigation, Coalgate.... So, why did Tehelka which was so corruption focused not have anything on these cases or on the CAG's work which unearthed a huge list of scams? The real long lasting picture one will carry is the UPA devolving into a Scam movement.
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W arrior

Quest Ads an hour ago

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You forgot Robert-ji

rebel

Warrior 31 minutes ago

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a farmer :D

A jay

neeraj j 5 hours ago

Man, if something like this happens to someone close to you, you would not give the logic you are giving.
28
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Thaen Tamil

6 hours ago

Since tejpaul was caught now lot of congress men are afraid that lot of their sting operations will come to light. starting from 2002 riots. Fake encounters.. that's why like a thief they are trying to blame modi before hand.Till date congress fooled the people. and no one had guts to question the congress theory. now the truth will come out regarding everything whatever happen in Gujarat. wait and watch. you should be naive if you think Congress is protecting tarun tejpaul just for this harassment case. They will be the first person to disassociate him knowing any association with him will erode the seats across India very badly. not even a fool will try to bat for tejpaul. if you use your brain you will know why congress batting for tejpaul. the entire congress government will fall if tejpaul opens his mouth regarding Gujarat sting operations. the past & Existing IAS,IPS & IB officers who worked as Mole for congress will be in deep trouble. Never ever under estimate congress. If i am not wrong either Tejpaul will be shot down or he will be murdered by congress since they are in serious trouble.
13 1

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Gues t

6 hours ago

How can SC be blamed for hushing up the case or trying to keep it away from the police ? That option was open to the victim from the evening of 7th November itself. She took ten days to write to SC and wanted her complaint to be placed before a committee. TT should be brought to justice, but the organisation should not become the victim of a pagan witch hunt. Have no special feelings one way or another for Tehelka but serious distortions are being created in the way these issues are being dealt with. TT is now being faulted for defending himself legally. Should even the formality of a trial be dispensed with ?
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rebel

Guest 29 minutes ago

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use acronyms wisely, i thought its actually a SC (Supreme Court) :)

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anand 24

6 hours ago
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Black-mailing, extortion, Character assassination are the TRAITS OF TEHELKA

1

Avatar

anand

6 hours ago

The License of TEHELKA should be cancelled immediately, As it is most employees are ditching it, and so are the investors. Tarun should be told never to set up another paper in his life. The only paper he should get in his life now, is the court judgement.
16 1
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Ravi K umar 12

anand 6 hours ago

no no not at all. they are secular

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anand 9

Ravi Kumar 5 hours ago

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secular R APE?

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anand

6 hours ago

where is Jayanti natarajan Renuka chowdhary Rita Bahuguna Joshi Mamata Sharma who interfered in personal life of Madhuri and her father Pran lal Soni without their compliants but by orders of cobrapost gulail tehlkas sister concerns
19 1
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Y ogi1980

anand 4 hours ago

Jayanti Natarajan has the gumption to come on national television and demand that the probe be shifted out of Goa! So much for the integrity of a Union Minister of the Govt. of India!
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Ques t A ds

Yogi1980 3 hours ago

Lack of integrity!
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anand

6 hours ago

"half-facts and selective leaks" the bread and butter of TEHELKA and Shoma haunts them now..... JUdgement Day for all paid news agencies is not so far!!!!!
10
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anand

6 hours ago

Shoma sent her resignation email to the night sweeper, who was the only remaining employee working at Tehelka.
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V irendra K umar

6 hours ago

Shoma has done the right thing, by resigning from Tehelka. Tarun Tejpal, in his bid to defend himself, can put Shoma in to trouble, if she continued in Tehelka. Now she is free to act as per her conscience.
17 1
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danny 1964

Virendra Kumar 6 hours ago

One of the most sensible comments I have read in this thread, Virendra. I agree 100% percent.
4 1
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P ranji

7 hours ago

Congress Govt is also shielding this lady Shoma. It is bad although both Tejpal and this lady were working for Congress. Must be arrested for interrogations etc to reveal the truth.
13 1
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Niranjan Des ai

7 hours ago

this fraud shoma is accomplice is horrendous crime committed by tehelka. who is going to accept her resignation?
11 2

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Crus ader 14 1

7 hours ago
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Yeh to hona hi tha! Tehalka will be history soon.

Omk ar Naray an

Crusader 6 hours ago

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

TEJPAL Should be arrested immediately. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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V is wa Gi

8 hours ago

Had she taken the right decision at the right time by going to the police on the first instance she came to know of this, she would not have to resign. But now Shoma has wrangled herself by being an accomplice in hiding facts.
20 1
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David Hawk s

Viswa Gi 3 hours ago

This resignation is just a joke to make people fool, she may again join after couple of months, once the matter subsides.
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Omk ar Naray an

Viswa Gi 7 hours ago

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This pseudo-sicularist Media's past deeds are coming back to haunt it. They did not leave behind any dirty tricks to malign and defame Gujarat. Tehlka is finished now with the Last Tehlka(bang) at its own door. People like JAVED AKTHAR are still defending Tehlka!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was once invited to dine with Obama by Congress!!!!!!!!!!! No wonder, No surprise. People like him still trying to separate Tejpal from Tehlka so that their pseudo-sickular business of defaming and maligning of Gujarat can still go on. Omkar Narayan <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
21 1
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