New Delhi, Nov 28 (IANS)

 Tehelka managing editor Shoma Chaudhury resigned early Thursday, saying she did "not want questions raised about my integrity to tarnish the image of Tehelka", and denied trying to hush up the case of sexual assault in which magazine founder-editor Tarun Tejpal is the accused.

The resignation comes hours ahead of Tejpal's appearance before Goa Police Thursday afternoon for questioning in the case of alleged sexual assault on a woman colleague, who has since resigned from Tehelka.

Chaudhury's resignation letter comes 10 days after the woman journalist accused Tejpal of sexual assault in a Goa hotel during an event hosted by the magazine earlier this month.

In a statement, Chaudhury said: "I reject the allegations in the media that I am involved in any manner with any slander, intimidation or character assassination of the complainant journalist. This is a malicious campaign that has no basis in truth."

She said she had "taken a series of actions in response to this (the junior journalist's) complaint."

"To my mind, I acted on instant outrage and solidarity for our colleague as a woman and co-worker."

She added: "I could have done many things differently and in a more measured way, I reject the allegations of a cover-up because in no way could the first actions that were taken be deemed suppression of any kind."

The victim formally deposed in a Goa court Wednesday.