Police summon Tejpal today before 3 pm
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The journalist who has alleged sexual assault by Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, on Wednesday deposed before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) ‘D’ court in Goa. Her in-camera statement was recorded under Section 164 of the Criminal Penal Code (CrPC) . The police have also summoned Tejpal to appear before them before 3 pm on Thursday.
“The statement of the victim is being recorded,” Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told media on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the victim, escorted by Crime Branch Investigating Officer Sunita Sawant, arrived in Goa from Mumbai late on Tuesday night after giving her statement to the Goa Police earlier that day. She was in the court for over eight hours giving her statement amidst tight security as she appeared before the magistrate at about 9:45 am. The recording continued till after 5:30 pm. However, details of the statement were not revealed as investigations are still on.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Dr O P Mishra while briefing the press at the police headquarters on Wednesday declined to disclose whether the department will move the court for arrest warrant or look out circular against Tejpal, if he fails to appear before the inquiry officer.
“The investigating officer is summoning the accused involved in the (alleged rape) case before her tomorrow (Thursday) around 3 pm,” was all that he said.
While the recording of statements was going on, Parrikar rejected allegations of using his influence in the case registered against Tejpal as alleged in certain quarters. Speaking to the media, the CM said he had neither the time nor the inclination to take hourly reports from the police. However, he categorically said that it was the duty of the state government to ensure that the victim gets justice.
“The investigation will take its own course. The state government does not intend to monitor (the investigation) except to ask the police to speedily dispose of the case,” Parrikar said even as he rejected allegations that the BJP was trying to fix Tejpal or was carrying out a witch hunt.
“It is the duty of the state to ensure justice,’ the chief minister argued, stressing that none of the views of the BJP or Congress leaders will affect the state government.
‘I have asked the police not to succumb to any pressure,” he said, adding “I am the administrator of the state… I am not here as BJP leader but as a chief minister.”
Traffic police were deployed
outside the court, and the area was later barricaded at about 1:56 pm with additional police force being summoned from Panjim and Old Goa police stations to control the increasing crowd as a curious general public began gathering near the court at around 2:30pm.
Plain clothed policemen were also deployed in and around the court premises to ensure safety of the victim.
After the deposition, the victim was confined inside the court room for quite a long time to avoid media glare as large number of video and photojournalists were outside since morning. It was only after instructions from police that the media should disperse from the court that the victim, under tight security, was escorted into a waiting rented car.
Meanwhile, with the case in the media glare, Mishra has warned the news channels, specifically the national media against disclosing identity of the victim.
“The channels should not use visuals of the victim. It will amount to a cognizable offence. I will not hesitate to take action …” he warned.
To a question whether she was or will be medically examined and taken to the scene of the crime, the IPS officer refused to reply saying, “I will not comment on it. The inquiry officer will do whatever (is needed) as per legal procedures.”
The chief minister also requested the media to let the law take its own course, adding that the speedy disposal of the Tehelka case was a priority. He also said the matter is being followed very systematically by the police who are first in the process of collecting evidence against the high profile journalist.
Meanwhile, the local media brought up the issue of some senior police officers’ attitude of divulging information only to select national media channels, who are camping here since the news broke. Even though a fixed time is slotted for daily press briefing in the evening, the national media break the news during the day but when local media approach them, they are shunned away,” was their complaint. The chief minister denied giving any directions to favour any particular section of the media and said that he had asked the DIG to brief the media on a daily basis.
