Tarun Tejpal sexual assault case: Victim speaks up

The journalist, who has accused Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal of sexually assaulting her, on Saturday said "pressure" and "intimidation" were being brought on her and her family "to protect" him.

She said a member of Tejpal’s immediate family visited her mother on Friday night and asked what the journalist "wanted" as a result of her complaint.

The journalist said Tejpal's relative came to her mother's residence on the night of November 22 and asked her mother who they are consulting for legal advice.

The Tehelka editor’s relative also asked the victim's mother to "protect Mr Tejpal", said a statement issued by the woman.

"This may be the beginning of a period of further intimidation and harassment," it said.

"On the night of 22nd of November, 2013, a member of Mr Tejpal’s immediate family came to my mother’s house in New Delhi, asking my mother to protect Mr Tejpal and demanded to know 1) who I was seeking legal help from and 2) what I wanted as the result of my complaint of sexual molestation by Mr Tejpal, that was made to the Tehelka management earlier this week," said the statement.

It said, "This visit (by Tejpal's relative) has placed tremendous emotional pressure on my family and I at an intensely traumatic time" and asked "all persons connected to Mr Tejpal and his associates to refrain from approaching me or my family members".