Police call Shoma for 'investigation' today

PANAJI: Former Tehelka managing editor Shoma Chaudhury, who flew into Goa from Delhi, deposed before a Panaji magistrate on Saturday in the alleged sexual assault case by the magazine's founder-editor Tarun Tejpal, has been called to appear before the crime branch of Goa police, Dona Paula, on Sunday for 'investigation'.

Confirming to STOI, a senior police officer said that they may want to ask her a few questions based on what Tejpal has told them during police custody and on Chaudhury's statement before the magistrate. The officer said they are hoping that Chaudhury may reveal more than what she has already said in her statement before the police in Delhi as she has since resigned from her post in Tehelka. Police declined to say anything further on the issue.

Chaudhury spent almost the entire day before the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) Sarika Phaldessai recording her statement in the case under Section 164 CrPC. The crime branch had earlier recorded Chaudhury's statement in New Delhi under section soon after a suo moto first information report (FIR) was registered.

Chaudhury along with her counsel arrived in the court around 10.15am and left the premises at 6pm. Though Chaudhury showed her willingness to talk to the media outside the court after her deposition, her counsel prevented her from doing so.

Chaudhury is the fifth person to record a statement before the magistrate in this case after the victim and three other former colleagues deposed before the court.

The police also recorded the statements of Tejpal's wife and daughter on the issue a couple of days ago.