Goa cops seek NBW against Tejpal

Panaji: Moving towards an imminent arrest, the Goa police on Friday approached a local court for issuing a non-bailable warrant against Tarun Tejpal, who is accused of sexual assault against a woman journalist colleague, after he failed to appear before police.

Tejpal, whose request for extension of time for appearance by 3 pm before the Investigating Officer (IO) was rejected on Thursday, has now told Goa police that he will appear before them on Friday for the investigations, his lawyer Sandeep Kapur, said in Delhi. On a day of dramatic developments when earlier reports spoke of Tejpal producing himself before the Goa police by the 3 pm deadline, he changed strategy and sought extension of time. But in the Delhi High Court he sought withdrawal of his petition, seeking anticipatory bail saying he would move the appropriate court for appropriate remedy.

The dice was loaded against the founding Editor of the magazine when two hours after the 3 pm deadline passed and he failed to appear before the police, DIG O P Mishra said the IO has not accepted his request for extension "in view of the seriousness of the crime and is further proceeding in this case as per law empowered." Police sources said the crime branch has moved a judicial first class magistrate for issuing of an NBW with which Tejpal could be arrested.

"The IO is now proceeding in the case as per law. All other formalities will follow. We will do them without any loss of time," Mishra said without disclosing what the steps were. Asked whether a non-bailable warrant of arrest was being issued or whether he would be arrested, he said, "it has serious implications and as per law empowered, we are proceeding without any further delay".