Tejpal case: SC grants Goa court more time to wrap up trial

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday acceded to the request of the Goa lower court judge seeking more time to wrap up the trial in the sexual assault case involving Tehelka founder editor Tarun Tejpal as an accused.

A bench comprising Chief Justice H L Dattu and Justice Arun Mishra took note of the letter of the trial judge and said let the proceedings be concluded in a year.

The apex court, in January, had ordered the lower court to hold daily hearings and decide the case within eight months.

The court had expressed unhappiness over the fact that the trial proceedings have been stalled and asked the counsel for Tejpal not to delay it further and begin arguments on framing of charges in the case.

Earlier, Tejpal had moved the Supreme Court challenging a Goa session court order to proceed with the arguments on charge against him without allegedly providing him necessary documents.

Tejpal has been charged for allegedly raping, sexually harassing and outraging the modesty of a junior colleague during an event at a Goa hotel in November, 2013.

Tejpal, who was arrested on 30 November, 2013 and is out on bail, has been accused of sexually assaulting the victim on 7 November, 2013 and repeating the offence the next day.

Before being released on interim bail, he was lodged at Sada sub-jail in Goa’s Vasco town.

PTI