File photo: Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal
The woman journalist who was allegedly raped by Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal recorded her statement for a magistrate in Goa today. This version of events will be used in court to substantiate the Goa Police's case against Mr Tejpal, who has said he is being framed.
Mr Tejpal's request for pre-trial or anticipatory bail will be heard by the Delhi High Court today.
The reporter has said that Mr Tejpal sexually assaulted her twice at an annual Tehelka conference at a five-star hotel in Goa earlier this month. In his request for bail, Mr Tejpal, who is 50, has said she is misrepresenting "light hearted bantering." However, in an email to the reporter sent just days ago, he offered a starkly different version of events, acknowledging that he attempted "a sexual liaison with you on two occasions... despite your clear reluctance."
The journalist quit Tehelka on Monday accusing managing editor Shoma Chaudhury of orchestrating a cover-up in which doubts were being raised about her account.
Ms Chaudhury today denied it saying, "I strongly reject the allegations that I am involved in any manner with any slander, intimidation or character assassination of the journalist. This is a malicious campaign that has no basis in truth."
The Goa Police has ordered Mr Tejpal to make himself available for interrogation as soon as possible.
Airports have been alerted to stop Mr Tejpal from leaving the country.
The journalist who he allegedly violated did not press charges. She detailed her complaint to Shoma Chaudhury in an email that was leaked and became the inception point for the Goa Police's investigation.
"She was shattered, I told her she needs to come out and the tell police, she is a brave girl," said the journalist's legal adviser Shyam Keswani.
Mr Tejpal has claimed that the ruling BJP in Goa is using the case to get even with him for Tehelka's earlier exposes on some of its top leaders.