Tehelka controversy: 'a clear case of rape,' says Arun Jaitley

New Delhi: Tehelka news-magazine was assailed today by journalists, activists and readers for its appalling response to allegations of sexual assault against its editor-in-chief, Tarun Tejpal, who has quit his job temporarily. (Read: 'Tarun Tejpal is not God who can decide own punishment': Women's Commission) | (Strong statement from Editors' Guild of India)

Some of the strongest comments against Mr Tejpal and Shoma Chaudhury, the Managing Editor, came from BJP leader Arun Jaitley, who accused them of "a private treaty" in what he described as an attempt to suppress "a clear case of rape."

Mr Tejpal said yesterday that he has "recused" himself for six months for "atonement" after a woman journalist said he sexually assaulted her on two consecutive days at an annual Tehelka event in Goa.

Ms Chaudhury today said that action taken was "over and above" what the journalist had asked for. (Read)

Advertisement

The woman wrote about Mr Tejpal to Ms Chaudhury earlier this week.

Ms Chaudhury said today that the woman has not filed a police case, but legal experts and activists are asking why nobody at Tehelka reported the matter to the police.

Advertisement

"The ingredients of an offence of rape as amended by parliament are squarely made out in the victim's e-mail," said Mr Jaitley. "Why was the offence not allowed to be reported forthwith? Were any pressures brought on the victim not to lodge a complaint?

"How can Shoma Choudhary so definitely say that the victim will not depose before the police? Is she not guilty of tampering with evidence in a rape case by pressuring a young employee to conceal the offence?" he said. (Full text of Arun Jaitley's remarks)

Advertisement

However, the BJP leader also tried to add a political dimension to the controversy, referring to Mr Tejpal as "an assailant" with "connections in the Congress party."