Goemkarponn desk
MAPUSA: The Mapusa trial court on Friday acquitted Tarun Tejpal, the founder-editor of Tehelka magazine, of rape charges.
Tarun Tejpal was accused of sexually assaulting a colleague in 2013 on the side-lines of a conference at a five-star resort in Goa.
In 2017, the trial court had charged him with rape, sexual harassment, and wrongful confinement. Tarun Tejpal challenged the charges in the Supreme Court, which had ordered the trial in Goa to continue.
Tarun Tejpal’s daughter Cara Tejpal read out a statement on her father’s behalf, which said he was “falsely accused” of sexual assault.
The sessions court in Goa was to declare its verdict on Wednesday but could not, citing “power failure” due to Cyclone Tauktae.
The verdict was previously delayed over various reasons including the coronavirus crisis.
The Tehelka allegations broke out when a series of emails in which the woman complained to her seniors at Tehelka and their response were leaked.
Mr Tejpal stepped down as Tehelka Editor soon after, saying he was “recusing” himself for six months. He was arrested on in November 2013. He has been out on bail since May 2014.
In a 2,684-page chargesheet filed before the Goa fast-track court, the police had said there was enough evidence against him.
Tejpal had maintained that CCTV footage absolved him and had approached the Supreme Court after the Bombay High Court in 2017 dismissed his request to scrap the case.
Goa govt to file appeal in HC, says CM
PORVORIM: Goa government has decided to file appeal in the High court in Tehelka founder editor Tarun Tejpal acquittal matter.
“It is very sad that he is acquitted. Goa government will file appeal in the case in the High Court in this regards very soon. Injustice has been meted out to a woman. We will not tolerate this,” said CM Sawant.