MAPUSA
A trial court in Mapusa has adjourned the judgment in the alleged rape case against former Tehelka founder-editor Tarun Tejpal to May 12.
The Additional Sessions Judge Kshama Joshi announced the adjournment in an open court on Tuesday.
The alleged accused, Tarun Tejpal, was present in the court along with his immediate family members.
“The court has adjourned the judgement to May 12. The judgement is not ready yet,” said Francis Tavora, the Special Public Prosecutor.
Tavora said the court has not attributed any reasons for the delay in pronouncing the judgement.
“There could be various reasons for the adjournment. It could be the current health emergency...The court has not given any reasons,” he said.
The former Tehelka founder-editor, Tarun Tejpal was accused by a female colleague of 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 charge-sheeted 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.
