Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal was arrested last night by the Goa police after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the District and Sessions Judge Anuja Prabhudesai in the sexual assault case of a woman journalist colleague during an event in Panaji.

The arrest was made nearly 90 minutes after the rejection of Tejpal's anticipatory bail plea which was argued for two days and strongly opposed by the prosecution.

He was taken to Goa Medical College for medical examination around midnight. Tejpal was lodged in police lock up in the night and will be produced in a court for remand by the police today.

The 50-year-old Tehelka founder was formally taken into custody at the Crime Branch headquarters in Dona Paula where he along with his family members, was waiting for the delayed court order for about three and half hours from 4.30 pm onwards on Saturday.

Tejpal has been allowed by the court to take the assistance of his lawyer briefly during interrogation. He will also be allowed to have home-cooked food. The special investigating team of the Crime Investigation Department had on November 22 registered an FIR against Tejpal for alleged sexual assault on a junior colleague in a five-star hotel elevator during an event organised by the tehelka magazine in Goa.