Tarun Tejpal rape case: Goa HC refuses stay framing of charges, directs to hold trial

New Delhi: The Goa High Court on Tuesday refused to stay framing of charges against former Tehelka magazine editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, but asked to hold the trial till it directs otherwise.

The high court will hear Tejpal before deciding on the first witness appearance at the trial.

The high court said it will hear the arguments on November 1.

On September 7, the additional district and sessions court at Mapusa ordered that charges be framed against the Tejpal in connection with a rape case filed by a junior colleague.

"Final charges are 354 (A), 354 (B), 341, 342, 376(2) F, 376(2) K. Section 376 is not there. The court will frame the charge and then we will see and examine the order and will decide the next course of action," Tarun Tejpal's lawyer, Pramod Dubey, told ANI.

Earlier in June, the Mapusa Court restricted the media from reporting any proceedings of the rape case accused.

The court passed the order under 327 (3) barring the media from covering the proceedings until completion of the trial.

On January 17, 2015, the Supreme Court had stayed the trial against Tejpal in connection with his alleged role in a sexual assault case for a period of three weeks.

In November 2013, Tejpal was accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague in the elevator of a five-star hotel, at an event in Goa.

Subsequently, an FIR was filed against him and he was asked to step down from his post.