Journos tipped off cops about Tejpal phone use in jail: Parrikar

Tip-offs from “good” journalists in the national capital led to the surprise raid of Tehelka editor-in-chief’s prison cell, according to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Speaking at a public function, Parrikar alleged that Tarun Tejpal, from whom a mobile phone was allegedly recovered during a raid on 23 February, was speaking to Delhi-based journalists every morning. “There are journalists in Delhi who reported to us that he was speaking to reporters from Delhi every morning,” Parrikar said. [caption id=“attachment_1410875” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Goa CM said that authorities were tipped-off by journalists that Tejpal was allegedly using a mobile phone in jail. Reuters.[/caption] “The intelligence (for the raid) came from the Delhi press,” he added. Nine mobile phones were allegedly found in the Sada prison complex housing Tejpal during a sudden raid a few days ago. Prison officials claim that a SIM card was also found in the editor’s shirt collar. However, Tejpal told the raiding team that the phone could belong to another inmate living in his cell. While prison authorities had called the raid “routine”, Parrikar claimed the raid was made possible because of journalists who co-operated with the government agencies. Two days ago, Goa jail authorities had filed a formal police complaint against Tehelka founder-editor Tarun Tejpal and six others after mobile phones were found in their possession inside the Sada Sub jail. During a surprise inspection in the jail, the authorities had found Tejpal in possession of a mobile phone with a SIM card in it, Additional Inspector General of Police Gopal Parsekar had said. Goa police had filed a charge sheet against Tejpal last week. Tejpal has 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).