PANAJI
The High Court on Tuesday adjourned to September 20 the appeal against the acquittal of former journalist Tarun Tejpal after the Advocate General sought time to make an application to allow the hearings in the case to be held in virtual mode.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam told the court that he would like for the matter to be adjourned by two weeks “on the ground that the State proposes to file an appropriate application before the Chief Justice for hearing this matter by virtual mode.”
The prosecution is seeking that the hearings in this case continue in virtual mode, despite physical hearings having commenced at the High Court, in order that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who is ordinarily based in New Delhi can argue the case on behalf of the State.
At the last hearing, the defence too said they would prefer an virtual hearing so that lawyers from both sides, who are not based in Goa can argue the matter through an online mode without having to visit Goa for each hearing.
Besides holding the appeal against the acquittal in virtual mode, the defence has also sought that the arguments be held in camera, just like the trial was, something that the prosecution has opposed saying that the “the country has a right to know [how] this institution (judiciary) has dealt with the girl who came to the Court with the complaint, specific allegations, precise facts, and pleading proved with corroborating evidence.”
