New Delhi:
The family of the young journalist who has accused Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal of sexual assault has formally complained to the Delhi Police about intimidation and harassment.' The police will conduct an inquiry and then decide whether to file an FIR, which is the first step towards the lodging of formal charges.
Mr Tejpal has been accused of raping his younger colleague at a Tehelka conference in Goa earlier this month. The Goa Police met the young woman today in Mumbai, where she lives, and recorded her version of events.
Mr Tejpal's request for bail will be heard in the Delhi High Court tomorrow. (
Tarun Tejpal's bail plea: full text)
Over the weekend, the journalist publicly appealed to Mr Tejpal and his associates to stop contacting her family. She said a member of Mr Tejpal's immediate family had visited her mother in Delhi to ask what the reporter "wanted." (
Read: 'I fear intimidation, harassment', says journalist)
The journalist quit Tehelka yesterday. In her resignation letter, she accused the news-magazine's Managing Editor, Shoma Choudhury, of trying to orchestrate "a cover-up." (
Read full text of resignation letter sent to Tehelka)
The charges of rape were not filed by her. The Goa Police commenced its investigation on the basis of a leaked email in which she outlined the details of the alleged sexual assault to Ms Chaudhury.