New Delhi: Tehelka, the news magazine that once brought the sting operation into vogue, has today been badly stung by the admitted sexual misconduct by its feisty founder Tarun Tejpal.
The victim has said that she was assaulted twice on November 7 and November 8 by Tejpal, following which she informed about the assaults to Tejpal’s daughter who happened to be her friend. After his daughter ticked him off for assault, Tejpal allegedly lashed out at the victim the next day.
Tejpal is also believed to have texted the victim saying that she was making a big deal of “a drunken banter”.
In her mail to Tehelka’s Managing Editor Shoma Chaudhury, detailing the two separate alleged incidents, the journalist said, “both times, I returned to my room in a completely distraught condition, trembling and crying”. She said she reported both incidents to three colleagues who had accompanied her to Goa for the festival.
Deeply disappointed by Tehelka’s response, the journalist now feels betrayed.
Tehelka now faces a torrent of criticism by journalists, activists and readers for its appalling response to these grievous allegations.
However, this incident raises a big question as to whether such a case can be considered a closed chapter without a legal complaint. Is stepping aside for six months an answer in a sexual assault charge? If there is no official complaint by the Tehelka staffer, can this be treated as a closed chapter? Was there a sexual offences committee set up in Tehelka office as per law? Can an incident of molestation or rape just be treated as a private matter? Is non-filing of a complaint result of pressure or negotiation?
The definition of rape was amended by Parliament subsequent to the Justice Verma Committee’s recommendations. The elements of an offence of rape as amended by Parliament are squarely made out in the victim’s e-mail.
Legally, the case merits no enquiry and an FIR can be registered suo motu against Tejpal for openly admitting to his misconduct, according to experts.
