Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar
New Delhi:
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today ridiculed allegations that his government's rape case against Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal is a case of political vendetta.
"How is the BJP involved in the crime or his emails?" the chief minister asked , referring to the tranche of leaked emails from Tehelka that chronicle the grim case and serve as crucial evidence. (Watch)
In one of them, Mr Tejpal acknowledges that he tried to force "a sexual liaison" twice on a younger colleague at a five-star hotel in Goa earlier this month.
In his request for pre-trial or anticipatory bail, however, Mr Tejpal has described his interaction with the woman reporter as "light hearted banter." He has also claimed that the rape case against him -which was filed by the Goa government and not the young journalist - is retributive for earlier Tehelka exposes that nailed senior BJP leaders. (Tarun Tejpal's bail plea)
The Congress has lent that theory its support. "This is nothing but politics. Is this how the Goa Chief Minister tracks every rape case?" commented senior party leader Jayanthi Natarajan.
Women's activists warn that the political combat between the BJP and the Congress could severely detract from the alleged criminal offences at the core of the case.
That note of caution has been trampled all over by politicians.
"Union Cabinet Minister who is the founder and patron of Tehelka is shielding Tarun Tejpal," tweeted BJP's Sushma Swaraj this morning, without naming anyone.
Acknowledging that he was the unnamed minister, Kapil Sibal retorted, "Let the person who is making these charges have the courage to name me." He also refuted reports that he owns stake in Tehelka. (Tehelka case turns into combat for Kapil Sibal & BJP's Sushma Swaraj)
"How is the BJP involved in the crime or his emails?" the chief minister asked , referring to the tranche of leaked emails from Tehelka that chronicle the grim case and serve as crucial evidence. (Watch)
In one of them, Mr Tejpal acknowledges that he tried to force "a sexual liaison" twice on a younger colleague at a five-star hotel in Goa earlier this month.
In his request for pre-trial or anticipatory bail, however, Mr Tejpal has described his interaction with the woman reporter as "light hearted banter." He has also claimed that the rape case against him -which was filed by the Goa government and not the young journalist - is retributive for earlier Tehelka exposes that nailed senior BJP leaders. (Tarun Tejpal's bail plea)
The Congress has lent that theory its support. "This is nothing but politics. Is this how the Goa Chief Minister tracks every rape case?" commented senior party leader Jayanthi Natarajan.
Women's activists warn that the political combat between the BJP and the Congress could severely detract from the alleged criminal offences at the core of the case.
That note of caution has been trampled all over by politicians.
"Union Cabinet Minister who is the founder and patron of Tehelka is shielding Tarun Tejpal," tweeted BJP's Sushma Swaraj this morning, without naming anyone.
Acknowledging that he was the unnamed minister, Kapil Sibal retorted, "Let the person who is making these charges have the courage to name me." He also refuted reports that he owns stake in Tehelka. (Tehelka case turns into combat for Kapil Sibal & BJP's Sushma Swaraj)
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