PANAJI
The Bombay High Court at Goa has granted an interim stay on the bailable warrant issued by the trial court that is seeking the victim's presence in court for cross-examination as part of the ongoing trial of Tarun Tejpal the former editor of Tehelka.
The trial court had issued a bailable warrant to secure her presence as the victim did not appear before the court to offer herself as a witness despite its directive.
The victim who is in Delhi expressed her unwillingness to travel during the pandemic and that recently she had an attack of severe lung infection.
Since she does not want to undertake any journey during these days of a pandemic the petitioner has already requested the trial court to examine her through video device.
After hearing the matter on an urgent basis the High Court of Dama Seshadri Naidu granted an interim stay on the bailable warrant but clarified that it wasn’t a stay on the trial.
Tejpal’s trial is at the stage of cross-examination of the victim after he had resumed in September last year. The trial is being held in camera and on account, many delays and stays and most recently the pandemic has skipped several deadlines including by the Supreme Court to be completed in six months.
