NBW issued against Tejpal

Fails to keep date with Goa Police, fax says former Tehelka editor would depose today
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: After former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, accused in the sexual assault case, failed to appear before them, Goa Police moved the Sessions Court at Panjim late Thursday evening and obtained a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Tejpal.
It is reliably learnt that Goa Police has made all arrangements to arrest Tejpal and bring him to Goa in a bid to preempt his surrender.
However, reports say that Tejpal has sent another fax to police saying that he would depose before the investigating officer on Friday, post-lunch.
“Yesterday (Wednesday) a notice was issued to Tejpal to appear before the investigating officer at 3 pm today (Thursday). It was duly served on him and received also by his family members,” Deputy Inspector General of Police Dr O P Mishra told a press briefing held before the development.
According to sources, the first fax, seeking extension for appearance was sent to the department around 12-noon signed by Tejpal while a team of his lawyers flew down from Delhi Thursday morning and handed over a copy of the same letter personally to the Crime Branch.
“Since I do not reside in Goa, I want time to appear before the Inquiry Officer,” Mishra said as he quoted Tejpal’s letter, after the press conference.
In a short response to the summons to present himself at 3 pm on Thursday, he said: “I have just been informed that last night, November 27th, around about 10:45 pm, you had left the summons with my wife, Geetan Batra Tejpal, asking me to appear at CID crime branch office at Dona Paula, Panaji, Goa on 28th November 2013 at 15:00 hours for investigation of CID Crime Branch PS Dona Paula, Goa, Cr. No. 27/2013 u/s 354-A, 376, 376(2) (k) of IPC.”
“Since I am not a resident of Goa, I require a little time to appear before you. I request you to kindly allow me to present myself for investigations on Saturday afternoon – that is, day after. I hope that is okay. I assure you of my complete and full co-operation. I am also sending a hard copy of the same by courier.”
Meanwhile, Mishra said keeping in view the distance from Delhi to Goa, the summons was issued electronically and more so, a suitable 3 pm time was allowed.
“The request for appearance was taken into account by the investigating officer of the case keeping in view the seriousness of the offence… We have not accepted the request for extension and she (PI Sunita Sawant) is further proceeding in this case as per law empowered, without any delay,” the officer said, once again refusing to divulge further. “These are all logical steps as I told you; they are likely to follow… We are going by the parameters of the law.”
Mishra, later giving details said Tejpal was issued summons through email and SMS as well since his phone was switched off.
“We have kept the records…The summons was also issued through resident commissioner of Goa Sadan,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the Delhi High Court, Tejpal sought withdrawal of his petition seeking anticipatory bail saying he would move the appropriate court for appropriate remedy.