New Delhi, Nov 28: A Goa magistrate on Thursday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal for alleged rape of a junior colleague earlier this month.
The Hindu said Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Ms Sarika Faldesai issued the warrant after police approached her with the request in Goa’s capital Panaji. They said Mr Tejpal failed to appear before them by 3pm on Thursday, despite being summoned.
The police rejected Mr Tejpal’s request for more time to appear before them as per summons served on him on Wednesday night. Late on Thursday evening, his lawyers informed the police that he would join the investigation on Friday, The Hindu said.
Three hours ahead of the deadline, Mr Tejpal sent a fax message, seeking exemption from appearance till Saturday on the plea that he needed time to travel to Goa.
“However, considering the seriousness of the crime, the investigating officer did not accept the request,” Deputy Inspector-General of Police O.P. Mishra said.
It is learnt that Mr Tejpal is planning to move a bail application in a sessions court in Goa. It is likely to be moved on Friday morning before a single judge bench (criminal matters). According to legal sources quoted by the paper, Mr Tejpal may also move a plea for transfer of the case out of Goa.
Earlier in the day, managing editor of Tehelka Shoma Chaudhury resigned from the post, stating that she did not want questions raised about her integrity to tarnish the image of the weekly magazine.