I expect the Tarun I know to humbly submit to law

Friends and acquaintances react,or keep quiet.

The alleged sexual assault on a female journalist at Tehelka by the magazines founder and editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal has evoked reactions ranging from shock to silence to staunch support,from those who know him.

Arundhati Roy,whose Booker-winning bestseller The God of Small Things was first published by Tejpals India Ink in 1998,has not responded to calls and text messages. Writer and historian William Dalrymple has declined to comment.

Colin Gonsalves,human rights lawyer,told The Indian Express that he was shocked after being informed of the nature of the alleged assault. I am aghast that Tarun Tejpal,who has been a hero for so many of us for his work,could fall so low. I am sure many of his friends and those who know him are shattered too, he said.

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I do not understand this six-month recusal. Criminal law does not act like that,and he will realise the full force of criminal law now. It is not a matter between the victim and you,but a crime against society and all women.

Sanjeev Saith,who founded India Ink with Tejpal,said he has not met the Tehelka editor in 10 years,but for a chance meeting. The Tarun I knew was a far more intelligent,generous person than I am today; a better human being than me. If there has been a mistake made,and it seems from his admission that it was,I would expect the Tarun I know to humbly submit to the law.

Laila Tyabji,Dastkar chairperson,spoke at Tehelkas recently concluded ThiNKfest in Goa and took to Facebook to express her outrage. It was only fortnight ago I returned from the ThiNK conclave,exhilarated and inspired by what I saw and heard,commencing with Taruns vision of an inclusive,enlightened society. It seems amazing that this sordid sub-plot was going on alongside… The official responses from the magazine have been equally dismal and dismaying… Why is a mans libido and actions at such variance with his head?

Sanjoy Roy,MD,Teamwork Productions,which organises the Jaipur Literary Festival,was the sole voice of support.

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Tarun is a friend of mine and while it is a complicated issue,and I do not want to take away from the journalists allegations,this kind of an incident has to be viewed in a certain light.

I know and Tarun has told me that he thought it was consensual,that he misread the situation and he immediately backed off when he realised that it wasnt. The complaint has come as a surprise and it is the journalists prerogative to reveal further information. In any case,the truth must prevail. But from what I know,the incident is very different from what is being portrayed in the media. The present hysteria is completely bizarre. It cannot be a witchhunt for the sake of being a witchhunt.

Author Patrick French said: Have they dealt with this situation,which has obviously been extremely traumatic for an employee,in the right way? No they havent. Tehelka have always set a high standard for others,so theres obviously an expectation they will apply it to themselves.