Tehelka sexual assault case: Tarun Tejpal agrees to cooperate in investigation

As Goa Police filed a First Information Report (FIR) into sexual assault case, former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal said he is ready to extend fullest cooperation in the matter.

Zee Media Bureau New Delhi/Goa: As Goa Police filed a First Information Report (FIR) into the alleged case of sexual assault against him on Friday, former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal said he is ready to extend fullest cooperation in the matter. Accused of sexually assaulting a junior colleague at a five star resort in Goa last week, Tejpal issued a statement today saying he was ready to cooperate with the police in sexual assault case and offered to present all facts. The FIR has been filed suo motu by the Crime Branch of the Goa Police for sexual assault and intimidation, a police source said. The exact sections under which the report was framed against Tejpal are not yet known. Also Read: Sexual assault case: `Enough evidence to lodge FIR against Tarun Tejpal`

Director General of Police Kishen Kumar said that the Crime Branch was investigating the case. "The Crime Branch is investigating the case. We are also in the process of sending a team to Delhi," Kumar said. In a statement issued soon after a case was filed against him in Goa, Tejpal said he had "tried to do what was honorably demanded of me" and issued an apology for the "alleged misconduct" as demanded by the victim. "There have been serious allegations cast on me in this last week, and unfortunately as sometimes happens in life, the complete truth and the need to do the honorable thing can come into conflict," he said. Tejpal said that in this case, "this anguish was accentuated by the fact that very many intimate people, professional and personal, were involved". "I offer my fullest cooperation to the police and all other authorities, and look to presenting all the facts of this incident to it," the founder-Editor of Tehelka said. "I also urge the committee and the police to obtain, examine and release the CCTV footage so that the accurate version of events stands clearly revealed," he added. Narrating details of the events that occurred after the incident came to light, Tejpal said, "For four days, as demanded by Shoma Chaudhury, the Managing Editor (of Tehelka), and the recipient of the complaint, I have tried to do what was honorably demanded of me. "On Tuesday, I issued an apology for the alleged misconduct, as desired by the journalist through Shoma Chaudhury. "On Wednesday, I stepped down from the editorship of Tehelka and removed myself from the office premises. "On Thursday, I learnt of the formation of the complaints committee." Tejpal has been under severe attack for the alleged incident with demands for action against him under the law.