Supreme Court stays TarunTejpal’s trial for three weeks

The bench headed by Chief Justice of India HL Dattu yesterday ordered that the trial in the TarunTejpal case be stayed for three weeks. It also ordered that the trial judge should see that the prosecution gives all the relevant documents and materials to Tejpal within three weeks.

Mr.Tejpal’s counsel had submitted to the Supreme Court that the trial judge while passing an order on December 23 was aware of the fact that the required documents were not being given to Mr.Tejpal. Mr.Tejpal in his plea had stated, “That the petitioner has established a good prima facie case on merits and the balance of convenience tilts overwhelmingly in favour of the petitioner. The impugned orders have been passed by the trial court without consideration of the cardinal principle of law. Therefore, it is just, proper and expedient that the interim relief as prayed for may kindly be granted in favour of the petitioner. Grave and irreparable harm and injury would be caused to the petitioner, in case interim orders as prayed for, are not granted.”

However, the Apex Court also told Mr.Tejpal that he should refrain from delaying the trial in future. Co-founder of Tehelka, Mr.Tejpal was arrested on November 30, 2013 and is currently out on bail. He has been chargesheeted for allegedly raping, sexually harassing and outraging the modesty of a junior colleague in Goa, in 2013.

You may read more of our coverage of the case here.