Goa trial court frames charges against ex-Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in rape case

Panji, Sept 28: A trial court in Goa Thursday indicted former editor of Tehelka magazine Tarun Tejpal of sexually attacking a junior woman colleague in a five star hotel during an event in Goa four years ago. The court has fixed next hearing in this case on November 21.

Tejpal, a high-profile magazine editor was accused of raping his junior colleague in an elevator of a Goa Hotel. Tejpal’s lawyer said that his client has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Tejpal has been charged under sections 341, 342, 354 A&B, 376 sub section 2, F&K.

The charges mean 354-A (sexual harassment and punishment for sexual harassment), 354-b (assault or use of criminal force on a woman with intent to disrobe), 341 and 342 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 376(2)(f) (person in position of trust or authority over women, committing rape of such women) and 376(2) (k) (rape of a woman by a person being in position of control or dominance over the woman).

The court has fixed November 21 as the next date for hearing in the case.

Earlier the Bombay High Court on Tuesday refused to stall the framing of charges against 54-year-old Tejpal.

Justice Prithviraj Chavan of Bombay High Court refused to stay the process of framing of charges against Tejpal after hearing the petition and also directed that examination of witnesses at the lower court could only begin, after its consent.

Describing these charges as “absolutely false” and “political vendetta”, Tejpal said that there was no evidence against him.

This is the first case in recent times in which the probe has relied on “position of trust” as a crucial aspect in an allegation of rape.

He is indicted of sexually assaulting a junior woman colleague inside a lift at Hotel Grand Hyatt during an event organised by the Tehelka magazine, in Goa, in November 2013.