In more trouble for Tehelka former Editor Tarun Tejpal, accused of sexually assaulting his junior colleague, the CCTV footage sourced by Goa police from a starred hotel here has “corroborated” the facts narrated by the woman journalist, a senior officer today said.
The CCTV footage of the area outside the elevator, in which the alleged sexual assault took place, corroborates the complainant’s narration, the officer said, who is part of the team investigating the footage, on the condition of anonymity.
The woman journalist had accused Tejpal of molesting her on November 7 and 8 during the ThinkFest event organised by the magazine.
The footage could add to the troubles of Tejpal who has been given 3 p.m. deadline by the Goa police to appear before them here.
The journalist registered her statement before a magistrate here yesterday.
“It is clear in the CCTV footage, dated November 7, outside the lift in Block 7 of the hotel that something went wrong in the lift,” the officer said.
“The footage initially shows Tejpal and the woman journalist accompanying Hollywood actor Robert De Nero to the latter’s room. This was around 9 p.m. when Tejpal is seen entering the lift with his hands on the shoulders of the young journalist,” the officer said.
He further said: “One-and-half hours later, around 10:30 p.m., Tejpal is seen near the same elevator on the ground floor pulling the woman inside.’’
The officer said that the lift was seen opening on the second floor almost after two minutes.
“The woman is seen coming out of the elevator adjusting her clothes and running down the steps as Tejpal follows her,” the officer added.
The journalist had complained about the incident in an e-mail to Tehelka Managing Editor, Shoma Chaudhary, last Monday. Shoma Chaudhary has resigned today.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, the Goa police had registered a case of rape and outraging the modesty of woman against Tejpal, who has since stepped aside as Tehelka Editor.
Though Tejpal initially apologised for the incident to the woman, he later said that it was a “drunken banter” and “consensual act”. The journalist has dismissed Tejpal’s claims.
Tejpal has also accused the BJP-led Goa Government of political vendetta.
The Delhi High Court had yesterday posted the hearing on Tejpal’s anticipatory bail petition for Friday.