MAPUSA
“No proceedings could take place today because the presiding officer was not present. The hearing has been adjourned to March 21 and 24,” Tejpal’s counsel, Rajeev Gomes said.
Court sources informed that the Additional Sessions Court, Judge, Vijaya Pol has been transferred. Tarun Tejpal was present in the Mapusa court on Saturday. Special public prosecutor, Francisco Tavora and the Investigation Officer (IO) in the case, Sunita Sawant was also present.
The crime branch, which filed a charge sheet against Tejpal on February 17, 2014, seeks to prosecute Tejpal under IPC Sections 354 (assaulting or using criminal force on a woman with an intent to outrage her modesty), 354-A (outraging modesty), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrong confinement), 376 (rape), 376(2) (f) (person in position of trust or authority over women, committing rape of
such women) and 376(2) (k) (rape of a woman by a person being in position of control or dominance over the woman).
It may be recalled Tejpal was accused of raping his junior colleague at a starred hotel in Goa in November, 2013.
The Supreme Court, while granting bail to Tejpal, had then observed that the trial in the case as far as possible should be completed within eight months, and as far as possible a woman judge should conduct the trail.
On May 19, the Apex court granted interim bail to Tejpal to attend the cremation of his mother who died in Goa, and on July 1, the court granted him bail.
