SC Refuses to Quash Sexual Assault Charges Against Tarun Tejpal

Tarun Tejpal is alleged to have sexually assaulted a former colleague at a five-star hotel in Goa in 2013.

Tarun Tejpal.

(Photo Courtesy: Tarun Tejpal)

The Supreme Court on Monday, 19 August, refused to quash the charges of sexual assault against Tarun Tejpal in the case registered by his former junior colleague in 2013.

According to Live Law, the bench said the charges against Tejpal were serious in nature and that it is an assault on the privacy of the victim. Citing delay, the court also ordered for the trial in the case to be completed within six months.

A bench comprising justices Arun Mishra, MR Shah and BR Gavai delivered the judgment.

The Goa Police had earlier claimed that there were “contemporaneous” WhatsApp messages and emails which showed Tejpal should face trial in the alleged sexual assault case.

The police, while opposing Tejpal’s plea of quashing of charges framed against him, had told the bench that there was “ample material” warranting trial in the case.

Tejpal's counsel had refuted the allegations and told the bench that certain WhatsApp messages were concealed and referred to CCTV footage of the hotel where the alleged incident took place.

Tejpal is alleged to have sexually assaulted the former colleague inside the elevator of a five-star hotel in Goa in 2013.

He had denied all the allegations levelled against him. He was arrested on 30 November 2013 by the Crime Branch after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the court. He has been out on bail since May 2014.

He has moved the apex court challenging the Bombay High Court's 20 December 2017 order dismissing his plea seeking quashing of charges.

(With inputs from PTI)