Way was tonight paved for the arrest of Tarun Tejpal, accused of sexual assaulting a woman colleague, with a local court rejecting his anticipatory bail plea.

District and Sessions Judge Anuja Prabhudesai passed the order dismissing Tejpal's plea for relief after hearing the arguments of the prosecution and the defence.

The prosecution strongly opposed the bail plea saying custodial interrogation of Tejpal was required because prima facie a case of rape has been made out against him.

However, the Judge allowed Tejpal to take the assistance of his lawyer briefly once a day, if he wants, during interrogation if he is taken into custody. He will also be allowed to have home-cooked food.

Tejpal's lawyer Geeta Luthra said they will not be challenging the session court's order right now. 50-year-old Tehelka founder was in the Crime Branch headquarters even as the judgement was awaited. The judge, who earlier in the morning reserved the order for 4.30 pm, pronounced it only around 8 pm.

Goa police have filed an FIR slapping charges of rape, custodial rape and outraging the modesty of a woman journalist of Tehelka during an event hosted by the magazine in a five-star hotel in Goa earlier this month.

If convicted, Tejpal faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life sentence in jail.