Tejpal claims 'BJP conspiracy' is behind sexual assault allegations

Former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal has termed the allegations of sexual assault against him as "false", claiming the entire episode is a BJP conspiracy

Former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal has termed the allegations of sexual assault against him as "false", claiming the entire episode is a BJP conspiracy.



Tejpal has now filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking anticipatory bail, as well as a transfer of the probe from the Goa Police to the CBI or any other independent agency.

The former magazine chief claims Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is directly supervising the case and issuing verbal orders to police officers.

"The complaint by the girl is clearly motivated, false and an afterthought with oblique motives," Tejpal has alleged.

He said it was surprising that an FIR was lodged purely on the basis of media reports and even without recording the statement of the alleged victim "which is quite unheard of ".

The court will hear his plea on Tuesday.

Tejpal referred to the sting operation against former BJP president Bangaru Laxman that showed him taking a bribe of Rs 1 lakh, as well as one in which other saffron leaders were shown trying to attempt to buy over crucial witnesses to scuttle the Godhra riot case.

Tejpal said what happened was just "an interaction between two individuals which was blown out of proportion".

In a span of four days Tejpal has jumped from apologising for his actions to dismissing them as a "lapse of judgment" and eventually describing the encounter as a "less than a minute, consensual'' act.

"There is not a single whisper from any corner, including the lady, of any untoward incident. To my shock I was informed by managing editor of Tehelka that she received a complaint of allegation of sexual harassment," Tejpal said.