Deepali kalia
The Mapusa District and Sessions Court in Goa deferred the verdict to May 19 in the 2013 sexual harassment case against journalist Tarun Tejpal.
The Ruling was set to be pronounced by Judge Kshama Joshi on Wednesday but it got delayed due to a shortage in staff.
Mr Tarun Tejpal, Editor-in-chief of Tehelka, is accused of raping a woman employee in an elevator of the Grand Hyatt, Bambolim, Goa on the opening night of Tehelka’s Think festival.
On 20th November 2013, Mr Tejpal had in a letter to the Managing Editor of Tehelka Shoma Choudhary admitted to “misconduct” against the victim.
On 22nd November 2013, the National Commission for Women after taking cognizance of the situation from the media reports wrote to Goa police to file an FIR in the case who in turn handed the case over to the crime branch.
On 23rd November 2013, Mr Tejpal was booked by Goa Police under various sections including Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, rape and outraging the modesty of a woman.
He was then arrested after his anticipatory bail application was rejected by Session’s Court Judge Anuja Prabhudesai.
On February 17 2014, A charge sheet was filed against him by the crime branch of Goa police before the judicial Magistrate 1st class Panaji.
The 2846 page Chargesheet had stated that Tejpal had committed offences punishable under sections 354,354-A, 341, 342,376,376(2) and 376(2)(k) of IPC.
On 29 September 2017, the Charge of Rape was formally framed by the trial court in Goa against him.
The trial then kept getting deferred as Mr Tejpal kept challenging the charges framed against him by moving to the high court and the apex court.
The Supreme Court then in August 2019, rejected his plea and ordered that trial be conducted in camera(not open for public viewing) and be concluded in six months.