The Tehelka journalist, who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Tehelka co-founder Tarun Tejpal last November, didn’t scream when he took her into the lift because of the presence “of extremely high-profile guests” in the near vicinity, the charge sheet said quoting from her statement.
The alleged assaults on November 7 and 8 last year took place in the hotel lift during the magazine’s THiNK festival in Goa featuring several prominent speakers, including Hollywood star Robert De Niro, whom the journalist had been deputed to chaperone.
“Victim further stated that she did not scream out rightly because of the presence of extremely high-profile guests all over Block 7. She was determined to handle things as professionally and firmly as she could,” the charge sheet said.
Despite Tejpal’s advances, she chose not to complain during the festival itself for fear of losing her job and out of professionalism, her statement said. “Victim further stated that she knew that Mr Tejpal now felt he was completely entitled to her body whenever he wanted, and would continue to behave in this manner… (she) further stated that despite the trauma she was afraid of losing her job if she abandoned her duties at that important event,” it said.
Tejpal’s lawyers had earlier argued that she continued to “act normally” and delayed in making her complaint until November 18; when she emailed her managing editor Shoma Chaudhury. “Victim further stated that by November 15, 2013, she had made her decision that she would not be able to face herself if she did not speak the truth,” the charge sheet said.
{{/usCountry}}Tejpal’s lawyers had earlier argued that she continued to “act normally” and delayed in making her complaint until November 18; when she emailed her managing editor Shoma Chaudhury. “Victim further stated that by November 15, 2013, she had made her decision that she would not be able to face herself if she did not speak the truth,” the charge sheet said.
{{/usCountry}}