Rape Case Hearing Begins, Tarun Tejpal Says ‘Truth Will Prevail’

Tarun Tejpal is accused on raping a former colleague in Goa in 2013.

Tarun Tejpal allegedly raped a former junior colleague in 2013.

(Photo: PTI)

A Goa court on Thursday, 15 March, began hearing the case of former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, who is accused of raping a former colleague, reported ANI.

While entering the Mapusa court in Goa, Tejpal said “truth will come out.”

A female colleague had accused Tejpal of raping her in the elevator of a five-star resort in Goa where the magazine was hosting an international conclave in 2013.

Following an FIR, Tejpal was arrested and remained in police and judicial custody for nearly a year before being released on bail. He subsequently resigned as Tehelka’s head.

The court, in November 2017, had framed charges of rape and wrongful confinement against Tejpal. The trial began on 21 November the same year, reported PTI.

According to PTI, the Supreme Court, on 6 December 2017, had asked a Goa court to start examining witnesses in the case. The apex court had asked the Bombay High Court, which had earlier directed the trial court not to examine the witnesses, to decide within three months the plea filed by Tejpal challenging framing of charges against him.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Vijaya Pol, in February this year, had ruled for in-camera proceedings to commence on 26 February, IANS reported.

Tejpal has been booked under Sections 376 (punishment for rape) and 354 A (sexual harrassment) and B (criminal assault with intent to disrobe a woman), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 342 (wrongful confinement) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

(With inputs from ANI, IANS and PTI)