SC notice to Goa police on bail plea of Tarun Tejpal

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Goa police on a bail plea made by Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in the case relating to sexual assault of his junior colleague.

A three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice P Sathasivam sought the response within four weeks as his counsel contended that Tejpal was ready to abide by any conditions including that he would not leave Goa on release of interim bail.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the journalist, submitted that there were 152 witnesses listed by the prosecution in the case, so the trial could take a long time to conclude.

He said that even the charges have so far not been framed in the case and petitioner’s plea for copy of CCTV footage of the hotel where the alleged offence happened was still pending.During his brief submission, he also pointed that the police had opposed the plea contending that they wanted to further investigate the matter.

Taking his plea into account, the court agreed to hear the matter and asked the Goa police to explain their position.

Tejpal challenged a March 14 order of the Goa bench of the Bombay HC rejecting his plea for bail.The 50-year-old journalist was arrested on November 30 last for allegedly raping, sexually harassing and outraging modesty of a female colleague, who claimed to be friend of his daughter.