India: Magazine Editor Tarun Tejpal Charged with Rape of Woman Journalist

Tarun Tejpal, former editor of Indian magazine Tehelka, has been charged with rape and sexual harassment of a woman journalist.

Police in Goa said they were convinced the high-profile editor, 50, "admitted commission of rape" through the email conversations with his female colleague, who remains unnamed.

Tejpal, whose magazine's investigative reporting scandal amongst the rich, powerful and famous in India, was arrested on 30 November after a woman journalist complained of repeated sexual assaults inside a lift in a luxury hotel in the resort state.

In Hindi, Tehelka means 'sensational, a commotion - an event that shakes things up'.

"It can be concluded that the victim of sexual assault in the present case is a young woman journalist who was raped, sexually harassed and her modesty outraged by Tarun Tejpal; a person whom she trusted as a fatherly figure and respected as a senior colleague," police said, in their crime report.

Police submitted a 2,800-page crime report to the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Goa where Tejpal was charged on 13 February.

"This incident has caused serious psychological injury to the dignity, self-esteem and overall personality of [the] victim - young woman journalist - who has made a mark for herself in the field of journalism," said the police crime report.

The alleged incidents took place in the first week of November 2013 when the prominent magazine was organising an international event in Goa.

Tejpal, who denies charges, has remained in police custody since his arrest. If found guilty, he could face up to seven years in prison.

Statements from 152 witnesses, including journalists at the magazine and others who were present at the Goa event, have been taken during the case.

Since the charges were made, there's been a series of resignations at the magazine.