Tehelka case: Tarun Tejpal skips interrogation, Goa cops to move for arrest

New Delhi: The Goa Police has said it cannot offer Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal the extension he had sought to make himself available for interrogation, "given the gravity of the offence".

Deputy Inspector General OP Misra also said they "will act as per the law now...without loss of time." He said the next logical step had been initiated, alluding to the possible arrest of Mr Tejpal.

The senior journalist, accused of raping a younger colleague in Goa earlier this month, had written to the Goa Police to say he could not comply with its deadline of 3 pm today for his interrogation because he was not given enough notice. He said he would make himself available on Saturday afternoon.

He has also withdrawn his request for anticipatory bail from the Delhi High Court, which had said it would announce its decision tomorrow. Mr Tejpal's lawyers plan to instead ask for bail in a court in Goa.

"I assure you of my complete and full cooperation," the 50-year-old wrote in his note to the police today.

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The Goa Police has charged Mr Tejpal with raping a woman reporter at a Tehelka event at a five-star hotel in the state.

Mr Tejpal has said that the encounter that's being described as rape was "light hearted bantering."

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The young journalist who has accused him of sexual assault has ardently challenged his version of events, and accused Tehelka and her boss, Shoma Chaudhury, of trying to engineer a cover-up. She quit Tehelka earlier this week.

Ms Chaudhury also resigned today from Tehelka after days of being pelted with criticism for her handling of the reporter's complaint, sent to her via an email that was leaked.

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That email was used by the Goa Police to file an FIR against Mr Tejpal.