Goa court to resume trial against Tarun Tejpal from September 23
The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea by Tarun Tejpal seeking relief in the 2013 sexual assault case, saying it is a very serious offence.
A Goa court will resume trial from September 23 against Tehelka magazine founder Tarun Tejpal in a sexual assault case lodged by his former woman colleague.
North Goa district judge Vijaya Pol fixed September 23 as the next date of hearing after the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed Tejpal's plea seeking quashing of charges framed against him.
A SC bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra asked the lower court to complete the trial preferably within six months.
Tejpal is alleged to have sexually assaulted the complainant inside an elevator of a five-star hotel in Goa in 2013. He has denied the allegations.
He was arrested on November 30, 2013 by the crime branch after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the court.
He has been out on bail since May 2014.
The Goa Police earlier claimed there were "contemporaneous" WhatsApp messages and e-mails which warrant that the Tehelka magazine founder face trial in the case.
The trial court in Mapusa town of Goa earlier framed charges against Tejpal under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those related to sexual harassment and provisions related to rape.