Tehelka Managing Editor Shoma Chaudhury today rejected journalist's allegation of a cover up in the sexual assault case against Tarun Tejpal, saying there was no attempt to hush up the incident or intimidate her and family members.
Citing her resignation as unfortunate, Chaudhury in her letter to the woman journalist said, "My responses may not have reflected the correct formal procedures but the intent cannot be doubted. You had asked for a written apology from Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal and an acknowledgement of this apology to be sent to office and the setting up of an anti-sexual harassment cell in Tehelka."
"Within one day of your complaint, you had the written apology. Tarun stepped down the next day. After this, the process of setting up the anti-sexual harassment committee was begun. I asked you to suggest names as well. You are yet to give names of your nominees," Chaudhury said in her letter.
While accepting that there was no official grievance redressal mechanism in office, along Vishaka guidelines, she responded that she acted on instant outrage and solidarity for her as a woman and a colleague.
She further wrote that she got only two days to act on the complaint before the story broke in the press.
"I believe the taken actions strongly count as my standing by you," she said.
However, she noted that post this, things have been misconstrued and have snowballed exponentially in the media, based on half-facts and selective leaks.
She further alleged that victim in her initial conversations with her had wanted redressal from within the institution in a way that would acknowledge the gravity of the complaint, yet protect her privacy and that she proceeded with this in mind.
"You have accused me of many things in your resignation letter. This is not the time to enter into a detailed point-counterpoint exercise with you. There are, however, a few things that must be set straight, particularly given that I am being publicly accused of a 'cover-up.
