On Tuesday (27th October 2020), the Apex Court granted time until March 31, 2021, to a Goa Court to complete the trial in a Sexual Assault case against a senior Journalist & Ex-Editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine, Tarun Tejpal.
On September 29, 2017, a Trial Court in Goa had framed the charges of rape, sexual harassment, & wrongful confinement against Tejpal under section 376 (2), 354 A & 342 of the Indian Penal Code respectively. Tejpal was arrested on Nov 30, 2013 & is currently on bail.
The Supreme Court has in an earlier order fixed Dec 31, 2020, as the deadline to complete the trial against him. However, the Court on Tuesday extended the time by 3 months.
In Aug 2019, the Supreme Court had refused to quash the charges framed by the Goa trial court against Tejpal in connection with the alleged sexual assault of his former junior colleague in 2013.
Alleging innocence in the case, senior Advocate & Ex-Additional Solicitor General Vikas Singh, appearing for Tejpal, had sought quashing of the charges against him in the case.
