ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO NAIL TEJPAL: GOA CM
Friday, 22 November 2013 | Mayabhushan | PANAJI
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In what could be ominous news for Tehelka’s Editor Tarun Tejpal, Goa Chief MinisterManohar Parrikar on Wednesday said that he had “more than justmedia reports” as evidence in a case of “attempted rape” against the editor. Parrikar, who met top police officials, told reporters that he has directed police to conduct a probe into the incident.He said the enquiry began after media reports on the incident that took place in a five-star hotel in Panaji ten days ago. “Now it has been found there is substance in the complaint. Probably the incident took place in the lift,” the Chief Minister said.
He further said that in high profile cases, it is important that the Government acts in order that the people do not lose faith in the establishment. “From what I see there was definitely an attempt. There are emails sent by the girl which are on the internet media,” said Parrikar. “Depending on the report, it will either be an attempted rape or molestation,” he said.
“In all cases against women, my standing instructions to the police are to be severe. The action will be as proposed by the law. No leniency will be shown because of the height or the strength of the person. Neither will there be excesses,” Parrikar said. He also said that the government needn’t have a complaint filed to initiate a preliminary enquiry. “Based on the report of the preliminary enquiry further action will be taken. Preliminary enquiry does not require a complaint from anyone,” Parrikar said.
The Chief Minister also justified the preliminary probe, claiming that if a “criminal offencehappens in the jurisdiction of the State, we are required to investigate it”. The Goa Police asked the 5-star hotel where the Tehelka’s Think conclave was held to hand over the CCTV footage of the elevator where the incident took place. Parrikar said if the hotel did not cooperate with the police, its owners will be charged with abetment.
DIG OP Mishra also said police have asked for the complete footage of the days during which the incident had occurred. “Only after we get the footage of the tape we will be able to comment further,” he said. Sources say the police are also going through the emails exchanged among Tejpal, the victim, and Shoma Chaudhury. The police are likely to take a statement from the affected woman journalist in Delhi.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/todays-newspaper/enough-evidence-to-nail-tejpal-goa-cm.html
http://www.firstpost.com/india/sexual-assault-case-tehelka-must-stand-by-victim-not-tejpal-1242119.html
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