The Goa Police officially confirmed on Monday that they have established contact with the Tehelka journalist who was allegedly sexually assaulted by the magazine’s editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal at an event in Goa two weeks ago.
They did not specify when they had contacted the journalist, although it is likely to have been prior to Monday.
“The investigating officer of the case has been able to establish contact with the victim,” said OP Mishra, deputy inspector general of police, Goa, speaking to reporters. “I am not going to divulge anything further as it has serious implications for the privacy and dignity of the victim... As things progress, I will be able to share more details with you.”
The team, including investigating officer Sunita Sawant, had several marathon meetings at the Goa police headquarters on Tuesday, but provided no confirmation on when they might leave for Mumbai to record the statement of the journalist. Sources said they might leave on Tuesday, although there has been some speculation that they could bring back the journalist to Panaji. However, this could not be confirmed.
“We are here now aren’t we,” said one senior police official when asked when they would leave for Mumbai. A friend in touch with the journalist said that she is “calm and composed”.
{{/usCountry}}“We are here now aren’t we,” said one senior police official when asked when they would leave for Mumbai. A friend in touch with the journalist said that she is “calm and composed”.
{{/usCountry}}The Goa police team returned after the first round of investigations from Delhi on Sunday, confirming that they had not yet contacted Tarun Tejpal.
Meanwhile, the Goa police also clarified that hotels are required to have closed circuit television cameras in common areas, but not necessarily in the lifts. “Elevators are not mentioned,” said a senior Goa police official, referring to a circular issued after the Mumbai terror attacks, which mandated that all hotels have CCTVs on their premises. On Saturday, the police had said that they had retrieved footage from the hotel though the elevator was not fitted with cameras.
On Friday the police had registered an FIR against Tejpal under charges of rape and attempt to outrage the modesty of a woman in an incident that took place during the Think festival in Goa two weeks ago.