SC dismisses Tejpal’s plea; trial to finish in 6 months

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 19 

Tehelka magazine’s founder Tarun Tejpal will have to face trial as the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed his petition seeking quashing of charges framed against him by a Goa court for sexually assaulting a former woman colleague in Goa in 2013.

A Bench headed by Justice Arum Mishra — which termed the offence “morally abhorrent” and an “assault on the privacy of the victim,” ordered the trial court to complete trial in six months. 

“The charges are serious... and there is already delay in the trial,” the top court said rejecting his petition challenging the Bombay High Court’s December 20, 2017 order dismissing his plea for quashing of charges.

Tejpal — who is accused of sexually assaulted a former woman colleague inside the elevator of a five-star hotel in Goa in 2013 during Tehelka’s literary event — has denied the allegations. He was arrested on November 30, 2013 after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected. He is on bail since May 2014.

The Goa Police had claimed that there were “contemporaneous” WhatsApp messages and e-mails which showed that the Tehelka magazine founder should face trial in the case. Opposing Tejpal’s plea for quashing of charges framed against him, the police had contended there was “ample material” warranting trial in the case.

Earlier, he had claimed that there were inconsistencies in the video recordings and the statements of the victim recorded under section 164 of the CrPC before a magistrate.

The trial court in Goa had framed charges against Tejpal under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including alleged sexual harassment and provisions related to rape.