Tarun Tejpal Rape Case: Goa Court Frames Charges

A district court in Goa today (28 September) framed charges of rape and wrongful confinement against Tarun Tejpal, the founder of Tehelka magazine, in connection with a rape case filed against him in 2013. The trial in the case is set to begin on November 21.

District Judge Vijaya Pol framed the charges against Tejpal under IPC sections 376 sub section 2 (F) and (K) (rape) and 354 (A) and (B) (criminal assault with intent to disrobe a woman), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 342 (wrongful confinement), public prosecutor Fransisco Tavora told reporters.

Tejpal's lawyer pleaded before the Mapusa court in Goa to put the trial on hold as a petition challenging the framing of charges is already pending before the Bombay High Court at Goa. The judge, however, rejected the plea, allowing the framing of charges against Tejpal

The former Tehelka editor has been charged with rape of a former colleague inside the elevator of a five-star hotel in Goa in 2013. Earlier this week, the Bombay High Court at Goa had refused to stay the framing of charges against him, while issuing notice to the state government

The high court had, however, restrained the district court from examining the evidence in this case. PTI