Tehelka has let me down in every possible way: NCW member quotes victim as saying

NCW said the victim of the assault has asked for time to compose herself before she speaks to the agency.

The National Commission of Women (NCW) will be sending reminders to the Goa police and the managing editor of Tehelka,Shoma Chaudhury,after they both failed to respond to faxed instructions by the agency.

“Immediately after the issue came out in the media,we had asked the Goa police to register an FIR and also give us the Action Taken Report in three days. We heard from the media that an FIR has been registered,but are yet to get any official response from Goa police. While we are sending the reminder today,I am personally placing a call with the director general of police,in a while,” said Shamina Shafiq,member,NCW.

Shafiq has been in touch with the victim from the time the matter was reported. The victim has acknowledged the police protection given to her parents. She has expressed that at this stage she doesn’t feel the need for any police protection for herself,added Shafiq.

In a text message,the victim has asked for some time as she is “devastated and shattered” before she approaches the commission. “She has sent me a text message on November 23,and I quote her,’Tehelka has let me down in every possible way’,” said Shafiq,adding,”she has asked for time to compose herself. We will speak to her at the right time.”

Soon after the news of alleged sexual assault against an employee by the editor in chief Tarun Tejpal broke in television channels,NCW swung into action and sent a letter to Shoma Chaudhury to explain the response measures taken by the company management.

“We asked them three straight questions. If the email complaining the sexual assault was received on Monday,what was the action taken,and the manner in which it was taken? Why is there no committee in place to redress sexual harassment? Why was there a delay to constitute one,if the complaint was made on Monday? The Vishaka guidelines are very clear in the manner in which the committee should be and the time in which the redressal has to be made. We have also asked for a composition of this internal complaint committee,as that is the legal term for such a committee,” added Shafiq.

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