Tarun Tejpal, the founder and editor of Delhi-based news magazine Tehelka, announced on Wednesday that he would be recusing himself as editor of the publication for six months, following an alleged incident of sexual assault on a female staff member.

In an email sent to the editorial staff of Tehelka, managing editor Shoma Chaudhury wrote: “This may come as a rude surprise to many of you. There is a letter from Tarun appended to this mail. There has been an untoward incident, and though he has extended an unconditional apology to the colleague involved, Tarun will be recusing himself as the editor of Tehelka for the next six months.”