Supreme Court to hear bail application moved by Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal

A Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam  agreed to hear the bail application of Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal. The Supreme Court also issued notice to Goa seeking its reply within four weeks. Tejapal is accused of raping, sexually harassing and outraging the modesty of a junior colleague.

Advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Tejpal, pleaded for interim bail and said that the apex court can impose the condition on him not to leave Goa and come to Delhi during the pendency of the trial, which would be acceptable to him.

The alleged offences include sections 354, 354-A (sexual harassment), 341 and 342 (wrongful restrain), 376 (rape), 376(2)(f) (being a person in a position of trust or authority towards the woman and rapes her) and 376 (2)(k) (being in a position of control or dominance over a woman and rapes her) of the IPC.

The incident took place at a hotel in Goa in November last year. He was arrested on 30November, 2013. His bail application was rejected on 14 March 2014 by the Bombay High Court.

Earlier his anticipatory bail was rejected by the Delhi High Court.

Currently Tejpal is under judicial custody and lodged at Sada sub-jail in Goa’s Vasco town.