The hearing on Tarun Tejpal's anticipatory bail petition Saturday resumed in a District and Sessions court in Panaji.
Tejpal's lawyer Geeta Luthra continued her arguments before judge Anuja Prabhudesai, who had yesterday given the Tehelka editor interim protection till this morning against arrest in the case of alleged sexual assault on a woman journalist in the magazine.
Tejpal was present in the court today. The public prosecutor will later submit arguments.
Ahead of hearing on his bail petition, Tejpal visited the Crime Branch office here this morning and said he was cooperating in the investigation.
Police sources said Tejpal was not quizzed and stayed for 10 minutes.
"We have joined the investigation started by the Crime Branch yesterday. We will join today also," Tejpal told reporters after coming out of the office.
Tejpal had yesterday appeared before the Crime Branch after dodging a combined team of Goa and Delhi police that visited his house in Delhi at the crack of dawn to arrest him.
During arguments yesterday, Luthra had contended that Tejpal was a man of high integrity and reputation and that the CCTV footage of the hotel will exonerate him.
The complaint from the victim, who was seen normal even after the alleged incident, came 10 days after the said episode, she had argued.
Wrapping up her arguments, Luthra said false allegation of rape can bring distress to the accused and cause equal damage to him as to the complainant.
She said as the rape law has become more stringent, so it it all the more required for the accused to defend himself for which "his liberty may be preserved".
Public Prosecutor (PP) Saresh Lotlikar argued that prima facie a case is established against Tejpal and so the police want his custodial interrogation.
"The accused has been changing colours like a chameleon through different statements," he said.
The PP noted that the victim has been consistent in her statements.
The PP argued that the accused should be in police custody so that he can be properly interrogated.
He said Tejpal has been changing his version and is now saying that he has not been heard.
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