National Commission of Women (NCW) member Shamina Shafiq on Thursday said that former Tehelka Managing Editor Shoma Chaudhury has tendered an apology for not addressing the sexual assault complaint against Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal as per the Vishaka Guidelines.
"There has been a lapse. The action she should have taken was not taken on time. As per Vishaka Guidelines, the complaint had to be addressed, which was not done. The NCW asked for an apology from her for not acting the way she should have. And she has tendered an apology for the lapse," she said after meeting Chaudhury here today.
Shafiq said that Chaudhury has already constituted a sexual harassment committee, and confirmed that the NCW have got the details of the committee's report.
She further asked why were the three male colleagues were silent on the issue for more than ten days, when the concerned journalist disclosed this incident to them.
"NCW is absolutely surprised and shocked, that why were those three male colleagues were silent on the issue for more than ten days, when a woman colleague had confided about the incident to them. We will be asking them about this,' she said.
Shafiq also expressed doubt on whether media or business houses are equipped enough to address such issues of sexual assault with sensitivity.
"There is a larger question on this issue. The issue definitely is of a particular victim or organization, but we need to find out whether our media houses, business houses and corporations are equipped enough to address such issues with sensitivity,' she added.
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Shafiq strongly condemned Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) shocking protest outside Chaudhury's residence, who resorting to vandalism.
'There is a complaint from Shoma Chaudhury that her house has been vandalized.
NCW strictly condemns this. Writing 'accused' on her nameplate is very shocking.
I have asked the police to give her protection. We have asked the Delhi Police Commissioner to register an FIR against Vijay Jolly who she has named in her complaint," she added.
Earlier in the day, BJP workers led by Jolly protested outside Chaudhury's residence, demanding her immediate arrest for allegedly trying to cover up the sexual harassment complaint filed against Tejpal by a woman journalist working for the magazine.
Earlier this week, Chaudhury was interrogated by the Goa Police, which has booked Tejpal for rape. .
Tejpal had earlier filed a petition before the high court alleging that there was conspiracy behind the allegations of sexual assault, that the woman journalist was lying, and described the incident as a 'light hearted banter'.
Goa Police had on November 22 lodged an FIR against Tejpal under IPC sections 376 (rape), 376 (2)(K) (rape by a person of a woman in his custody taking advantage of his official position) and 354 (outraging modesty). Conviction under section 376 of IPC entails a maximum of life term in jail.
Tejpal has suggested that the young journalist's version of events is not entirely accurate. But in an email to her sent on Tuesday, he had admitted to a "shameful lapse of judgment that led me to attempt a sexual liaison with you on two occasions on 7 November and 8 November 2013, despite your clear reluctance that you did not want such attention from me."
Goa Police was instructed by the state government to investigate her allegations, contained in the email by her to Chaudhury. That email was leaked to the press. The FIR against Tejpal lists rape by a person in a position of authority over the woman, an offence that carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison.