MAPUSA
The judgement in the alleged rape case against former Tehelka founder-editor Tarun Tejpal has again been adjourned to May 19, a Mapusa trial court said.
The Additional Sessions Judge, Kshama Joshi on Wednesday told the open court that the verdict in the case will now be pronounced on May 19.
“The judge has adjourned the judgement to May 19,” said Francis Tavora, the Special Public Prosecutor.
He said the reason for the adjournment was because the court was understaffed on account of the new SOPs put in place due to the high rise in (Covid) infection.
“The court is operating with just 15 percent of the staff strength. It’s quite a challenge because the judge has to dictate the judgement which is expected to be voluminous,” he said.
The Additional Sessions court was to pronounce the judgement on April 27 but the judge had adjourned the matter on May 12.
The former Tehelka founder editor, Tarun Tejpal was accused by a female colleague for sexually assaulting her in the elevator of a starred hotel in Goa where the magazine was hosting a conclave in 2013.
Goa Police had taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and lodged an FIR against Tejpal on November 22, 2013.
He was subsequently chargesheeted under sections 376 (rape), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement) 354A (sexual harassment) and 354B (criminal assault), of the Indian Penal Code.
Tejpal was subsequently arrested and sent to custody where he remained nearly for a year before being released on bail.
