From reports suggesting Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal had escaped abroad, to Tejpal - who stepped down as Editor-in-chief of the investigative magazine - confessing the crime of 'raping' a woman colleague, there have been several rumours floating in the media.
Here are some of the facts about the case:
- A team of four from the Goa Police has reached Delhi and will question Tejpal over the sexual assault charges levelled against him. The Goa Police will also interrogate Managing Editor and current Edito-in-Chief of Tehelka Shoma Chaudhury.
- The Goa Police filed an FIR, citing an email sent by Tejpal to the victim on 19 November.
- Tejpal does not admit of an assault in the email but refers to a forced 'sexual liaison', reported NDTV, "shameful lapse of judgement that led me to attempt a sexual liaison with you on two occasions on 7 November and 8 November 2013, despite your clear reluctance that you did not want such attention from me."
- The Goa Police is yet to confirm whether the Tehelka founder will be arrested in the rape case. "I am not going to comment on that," OP Mishra, Deputy Inspector general of police (Panaji) told ANI, when asked whether the team sent to Delhi will detain Tejpal.
- Meanwhile, the journalist, who claims to have been sexually assaulted by Tejpal, has given her consent to co-operate during the investigation. "I would request you to be very sensitive and careful about the identity of the victim," Mishra, DIG (Panaji), said.
- Earlier, a close confidante had told delhidurbar.in that along with SMSs threatening the victim, CCTV footage in the five-star hotel where the incident took place, could be used as evidence against Tejpal. Acting upon it, the Goa Police recovered the footage from the venue, except from the elevator where the assault took place, reported PTI.
- In a television interview, Shoma had refused to assist the Goa Police until an FIR is lodged. And on Saturday, Shoma agreed saying, "I am going to meet the police. I have also sent information to the police yesterday itself." Mishra said that the authorities had sent her an email, giving details about the complaint by the victim.
- Regarding the whole controversy, Tejpal emailed his response to The Indian Express."It is a totally mendacious account of what happened, in its details, in its tonalities, in its very suggestion of non-consensus." He added that his family, friends and most of the colleagues knew the details of the incident and stood by him.
- Shoma had denied on Friday that Tejpal had escaped abroad.
