Panaji, Nov 27 (IANS): Their case strengthened after the victim formally deposed in a Goa court Wednesday, police summoned Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, accused of sexual assault, to appear before the investigating officer by 3 p.m. Thursday.

The case, which has triggered a political war between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar insisting there was no political vendetta against Tejpal but he did ask whether Tejpal was a "Congress stooge".

The victim, who had given her statement to the police in Mumbai Tuesday, was flown to Goa Tuesday night quietly. She spent the night under police watch. On Wednesday, she appeared along with a lady police officer before a judicial magistrate.

"The victim's statement was recorded under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code," Deputy Inspector General O.P. Mishra told reporters here.

A statement recorded before a judicial magistrate makes it admissible in court as evidence and is a preferred legal route in case of sensitive crimes.

This also cleared the ground for police to issue summons to Tejpal, who has not made a public appearance since the scandal broke out last week.

"Summons have been issued by email and phone to the accused to report by 3 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday)," Mishra said.

Earlier in the day, responding to allegations by Tejpal about alleged victimization by the BJP, Parrikar questioned the editor over his supposed Congress links.

"Is Tejpal a Congress stooge? First Tejpal should clarify that," Parrikar said.

His comment came after Congress leaders like Jayanti Natarajan and Kapil Sibal alleged that the editor could be victimized in a BJP-ruled state for having carried out investigative stories against the party.

Parrikar refuted allegations that he was taking a personal interest in the case.

"There is no interference of any sort. I am not in the habit of interfering with police investigations."

Parrikar said Tejpal's first confession via email where he admitted to sexual liaisons with the victim and his willingness to do penance had done the investigative journalist in.

"It was his guilty conscience which made Tejpal confess," Parrikar said. He also suggested that it could be a "failed sting operation" in Goa which could have led Tejpal to speak against the BJP.

The fate of the controversy-ridden ThinkFest, an annual high-brow conference organized in a Goa resort by Tehelka where Tejpal is alleged to have assaulted his junior colleague twice, could now hang in balance, with the tourism minister saying the state government may not give the event the nod this year.

"We will not allow it if such activities are happening. There are other complaints about the conference too," Minister Dilip Parulekar said here.

The media clamour outside the trial court building where the victim was deposing before the magistrate attracted the police ire.

Mishra warned that criminal action would be taken against television mediapersons if they harassed the victim or revealed her identity.

"Violating the dignity of the victim is a cognizable offence. I will not hesitate to take action," Mishra said, refusing to address the daily media conference until cameras put up outside the court were not moved.

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