Tehelka's managing editor (MD) Shoma Chaudhury resigns from her post. In an e-mail she sent to her colleagues just before 6 am today, Chaudhury said she didn't want questions raised about her integrity to "tarnish the image of Tehelka". Saying this had been a "damaging" time for everyone associated with the magazine, the resignation e-mail says: "To my mind, I acted on instant outrage and solidarity for our colleague as a woman and co-worker." "After the first steps to immediately address her expressed needs, the process of setting up the anti-sexual harassment committee was begun. There were only two days to act on the complaint before the story broke in the press. Post this, things have been misconstrued and have snowballed exponentially in the media, based on half-facts and selective leaks," Chaudhury says.
The young reporter had resigned on Monday, alleging that her boss, Ms Chaudhury had tried to orchestrate a "cover-up." She said she felt especially betrayed by Ms Chaudhury's refusal to describe Mr Tejpal's actions as "sexual misconduct" in an email circulated to Tehelka employees. Ms Chaudhury has been interrogated by the Goa police, which has booked Mr Tejpal for rape. His request for bail will be decided on Friday, the Delhi High Court said yesterday, refusing to stop the Goa Police from arresting him till then.
