File photo of Tarun Tejpal
Goa jail authorities today filed a formal police complaint against Tehelka founder-editor Tarun Tejpal and six others after mobile phones were found allegedly in their possession inside the Sada Sub jail.
During a surprise inspection in the jail yesterday, the authorities had found Tejpal possessing a mobile phone with a SIM card in it, Additional Inspector General of Police Gopal Parsekar told reporters here today.
The formal police complaint has been registered against Tejpal, he said.
Tejpal (50), charged with raping his junior woman colleague during an event here last year, is currently lodged in cell no. 14 of the high security Sada Sub jail, located about 40 kms from Panaji.
The surprise raid was conducted by sub-divisional magistrate Gaurish Shankhwalkar yesterday wherein seven mobile phones loaded with SIM cards were found in the sub jail.
While Parsekar refused to state exactly where the mobile was allegedly hidden by Tejpal, sources said it was found under his bedding.
A senior police official said a legal opinion would be sought on which sections of Indian Penal Code could be pressed against Tejpal.
The jail authorities, however, said although the preliminary inquiry indicts Tejpal of violating the rules, a detailed inquiry would be conducted to ascertain as to who helped him to sneak in the cell phone inside the jail.
Parsekar said two-layer frisking is in place in the jail, one by personnel of India Reserve Batallion and another by jail guards.
"We don't know how the mobiles were transported in, whether it's done by prisoners, IRB or jail guards. Only a detailed inquiry would reveal the truth," he said.
Goa police had last week filed a charge sheet against Tejpal.
He had been charged under sections 354, 354-A (sexual harassment), 341 and 342 (wrongful restrain), 376 (rape), 376(2)(f) and 376 (2)(k) (takes advantage of his official position and commits rape on a woman in his custody).