Apex Court : Sexual Assault Case: Judge Recuses From Hearing Tarun Tejpal's Plea For Camera Trial
Apex Court : Sexual Assault Case: Judge Recuses From Hearing Tarun Tejpal's Plea For Camera Trial
On 31st January, 2022 (Monday), Apex Court Judge, Justice U.U. Lalit recused himself from hearing a plea filed by Ex-Editor-in-Chief of Tehelka magazine Tarun Tejpal challenging the order of the Bombay High Court at Goa which has rejected his application for in-camera hearing in the 2013 sexual assault case.
The matter was listed for hearing today before a bench headed by Justice Lalit. "Justice Lalit is not going to hear the matter", said Justice P.S. Narasimha. The Bench also comprised Justice S. Ravindra Bhat. Tejpal in his appeal has sought an in-camera hearing of the appeal filed by the state of Goa against his acquittal in the sexual assault case.
A trial court in Goa on May 21, 2021, had acquitted Tejpal of all charges levelled against him including wrongful confinement, assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty, sexual harassment & rape against his female colleague.
After the Goa police filed an appeal against Tejpal's acquittal, he moved the HC with a plea seeking an in-camera hearing of the matter. The HC had rejected his plea.
Tejpal was accused of sexually assaulting a then colleague in an elevator of a hotel in Goa on Nov 7, 2013, & Nov 8, 2013. On 21st May last year, a trial court acquitted him of all charges.
