Robert De Niro named in assault case

The actor’s trip to Goa has had unexpected legal consequences for the actor.


News Desk November 25, 2013
SHOCKING: De Niro’s name was mentioned twice in the FIR and it is likely that he will be questioned for further investigation. PHOTO:FILE

For Hollywood legend Robert De Niro, his trip to India has not been so worthwhile after all, as he has unwittingly gotten tangled up in a sexual assault case. 

De Niro was put up in a VIP suite close to the elevator where Indian daily Tehelka’s editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal allegedly assaulted a junior colleague. As a result, the legendary 70-year-old Hollywood actor’s name has inadvertently been mentioned twice in the first information report filed by Goa Police. De Niro was also the subject of a question from a reporter directed to Goa's Deputy Inspector General (DIG) O P Mishra.

When asked if the police would question the Godfather II star because of his physical proximity to the scene of the crime, Mishra said, “This is an investigation and many things are likely to emerge. Whosesoever's testimony is required for investigation will be taken."

Robert De Niro was the star speaker at the Tehelka ThinkFest, a highbrow conference held in Goa on November 8 and 9. De Niro's name was mentioned twice in the FIR filed by the Goa Police after an official complaint was registered by the victim to Tehelka’s managing editor Shoma Chaudhury. The complaint says Tejpal used meeting De Niro as an excuse for luring the young woman into the lift and assaulting her twice, over two days.

“Let's go wake up Bob [De Niro] he said, and I asked him why he wanted to do that. I then realised that Tejpal was simply pressing buttons on the lift's panel to make the elevator stay in circuit, preventing it from stopping anywhere, and for the doors to open," says the FIR in one instance, quoting extensively from the written complaint sent by the victim to Chaudhury.

The woman claims that Tejpal assaulted her twice, on November 7 and 8. The police may also question three Tehelka staff in regard to the sensational case. Mishra said that Goa Police have obtained CCTV footages from the hotel and are examining it. While Mishra refused to comment on the possibility of Tejpal being taken into custody, according to zeenews.india.com, sources in the Delhi Police said on Saturday that his arrest is imminent.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

COMMENTS (3)

doom | 10 years ago | Reply

@Khurram And if he were here, the hotel would be blown up and he'd be killed because terrorism is our hobby. Right?

This concludes our lesson about how stereotyping and generalizing is wrong and childish.

Khurram | 10 years ago | Reply

well if he was in India...then he should not be surprised...assualting and sexual harrasement of women are their hobbies...

VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ