Goa Police has decided to initiate action against Tehelka Editor Tarun Tejpal after he failed to appear before the Goa Police by 3.00 p.m. today in connection with alleged sexual assault case.

Disclosing this to media persons at a crowded press conference at the Police Headquarters at Panaji, Deputy Inspector General of Police O P Mishra said the notice to Tejpal by the Goa Police to appear before the Investigating Officer by 3.00 p.m. today was duly served on him and received by his family members. He said the Investigating Officer has not accepted Tejpal's request for extension of time taking into consideration the seriousness of the case.

Earlier, Tejpal wrote a letter to the Goa police saying that he is ready to cooperate in the investigation and sought two days time to appear before it. He said that he will be reaching Goa on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Delhi High Court allowed Tejpal's plea today to withdrew his bail plea, a day before Justice Sunita Gupta was to pass order on his request. Tejpal's counsel said appropriate court would be approached for appropriate remedy. Fearing arrest by Goa police after being accused of sexual assault against a woman colleague, Tejpal had approached the High Court seeking either anticipatory or transit bail.

In related development, former Managing Editor of Tehelka Shoma Chaudhury today met NCW member Shamina Shafiq. Shoma is understood to have briefed Shamina about the magazine's response in dealing with alleged sexual assault case against its editor Tarun Tejpal. Earlier in the day, Shoma, accused of attempting a cover up, resigned as Managing Editor of Tehelka.