Tejpal sexual assault: Goa cops start probe as BJP, Cong wrangle

Mayabhushan Nagvenkar Panaji: Days after maneuvering between Robert De Niro, a CIA agent, a Taliban ambassador and Union Minister P Chidambaram, Tehelka’s former editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, for long accused by the Opposition of being pro-Congress, now faces the prospect of experiencing the law in all its efficiency in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-governed Goa. [caption id=“attachment_124309” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Tarun Tejpal. AFP[/caption] “Before a complaint is registered, the Goa police has already initiated a preliminary enquiry," said Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, promising a “full blast” investigation and assuring that the “entire police force” would be made available to ensure a speedy probe. He said though the nature of the case would depend on the evidence, including the CCTV footage from the elevator of the hotel where the incident is reported to have taken place,  from the victim’s email to her managing editor it appears that it could be a charge of “attempted rape”, Parrikar said. The last time the Goa police have been called upon to show this kind of initiative was when the son of a former drug dealer and an owner of a rave party hub in coastal north Goa was kidnapped and 200 policemen were ordered to comb the area where the incident happened. As facts stand now, following orders from Parrikar himself, the Goa Police are conducting a preliminary probe into the Tejpal matter and accumulating evidence. The state police has already procured a copy of the victim’s emailed letter to Tehelka’s managing editor Shoma Chaudhury, as well as some other key intra-office communications. The letter clearly mentions that Tejpal tried to molest her twice in an elevator at the Grand Hyatt. Tejpal has not contested her claims and has now recused himself from editorship of the weekly for six months as atonement for his actions. Parrikar has already issued a public warning to the hotel, that if they fail to co-operate in handing over CCTV tapes for the days mentioned in the complaint, the hotel management would be booked for abetment to the crime. All the the entire Goa Police appear to be waiting for is for the victim to submit her complaint in writing. “We are willing to fly to Delhi to get her statement if need be,” a senior police official said. Interestingly, the manner in which political sparks flew following the revelation indicates the formation of clear rival camps. While the Congress, which appeared thrilled by the allegations of snooping against Narendra Modi aide Amit Shah in the issue involving surveillance of a young woman, the party spokesperson appeared less enthusiastic on Thursday. “It’s a very sensitive issue. After scrutinising every detail regarding the Tarun Tejpal issue and if there is any reaction to be given in that issue then we will definitely give our reaction,” Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting (independent charge) Manish Tewari told reporters in Goa. And the BJP, which appeared to be on the backfoot on the surveillance scandal, has stepped on the pedal as far as Tejpal is concerned. “I fail to see why Manish Tewari did not publicly condemn the act which has been admitted to by Tejpal,” claims BJP general secretary in-charge of Goa Smriti Irani. One question which arises is whether the molestation case involving Tejpal, who the BJP has repeatedly accused of being Congress-aligned, has now become a political barter for the saffron party which is battling to stave off charges of illegal surveillance. The other question is whether the interests of justice will be fully served amid the apparent political wrangling.