Tehelka not to participate in probe under new judge

Just hours after Justice S N Phukan's appointment to head the inquiry commission looking into tehekla.com's expose on alleged corruption in defence deals, the Website said it would not partcipate in investigations under the new judge.

"We neither have the resources nor the will to continue in the investigation process. We have already given two years to this commission. Whatever we had, we have given to the commission, including the tapes," tehelka.com's Editor Tarun Tejpal said.

"Let the new judge inquire into the evidence which has come out so far against politicians and armymen. The commission has already investigated about us," he said.

Asked what his reaction would be if the new judge sought information on Tehelka's finances, Tejpal said: "If First Global, one of the share holders in the newsportal, wants to participate [in the inquiry] they can, but we will not."

"The company is facing a financial crunch and most of our staffers have left due to non-payment of salaries," Tejpal said.