M A I N   N E W S

Tejpal in six-day police custody; grilled for 5 hrs

Panjim, December 1
Tarun Tepal, Tehelka magazine’s former Editor-in-Chief, was today remanded in police custody for six days, a day after being arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman colleague.

Tarun Tejpal at Sessions Court in Panjim on Sunday. Pti

Judicial Magistrate Shama Joshi passed the order as the prosecution sought his police remand for 14 days. Crime Branch officials took Tejpal to their headquarters in Dona Paula and began questioning him. The questioning was over around 8 pm, said police sources, adding that the interrogation will resume tomorrow. Earlier, public prosecutor Frances Tavera sought police custody of Tejpal saying his custodial interrogation was needed because of the nature of the crime involved.

Tejpal's lawyers opposed the demand for police custody, saying he was cooperating with the Crime Branch.

Tejpal’s junior woman colleague had accused him of sexually assaulting her twice on November 7 and 8. — PTI 

Anti-rape law a deterrent: Meira
The newly introduced stringent anti-rape legislation will serve as a deterrent to perpetrators of crimes against women, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said on Sunday.

Can’t interfere: Shinde
Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Sunday said the Centre cannot interfere in the sexual assault case against Tarun Tejpal.