Tehelka scandal: Victim submits audio recordings to Goa Police

In a significant development in the Tehelka scandal, the woman journalist who has accused Tehelka founder and former editor in chief Tarun Tejpal of sexual assault has submitted recordings of telephone conversations she has had with Tejpal and then managing editor Shoma Chaudhury to Goa Police. [caption id=“attachment_1283557” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Reuters[/caption] An Indian Express report quotes a Goa police official as saying that the recordings will be part of ‘crucial evidence’ in the case against Tejpal. The police said they needed to collect more evidence in a “serious and sensitive” crime for which Tejpal could be punished with “imprisonment for life”. Meanwhile, judicial magistrate (first class) Kshama Joshi remanded Tejpal to 12-day judicial custody after his 10-day police remand ended on Wednesday. Tejpal has now been shifted from the Goa Police lock-up in Panaji to the sub-jail in Sada, Vasco. He was initially assigned a common cell but his lawyer S Kapoor requested that he be given a separate cell. Kapoor reportedly told the court that Tejpal, as a journalist, had done many exposés on journalists and criminals and therefore it would be a threat to his life if he was lodged in the same cell as other criminals. The judge then allowed the request till 13 December by when prison officials will have to file their replies. Tejpal has also been allowed a fan in his cell but he will no longer be permitted home food. When asked by reporters whether a bail petition will be filed soon, the defence counsel said, it would be done “at an appropriate time.” The sub-jail has 17 cells and currently houses 334 prisoners.