INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Panaji: A sessions court in Goa on Friday acquitted journalist Tarun Tejpal of sexually assaulting a former female coworker
Tejpal, previous Tehelka editor-in-chief, was accused of sexually attacking the colleague inside the elevator of a high-end hotel in Goa in
Additional sessions judge Kshama Joshi acquitted Tejpal, who was present in the court along with his member of the family when the judgment
was pronounced around 10.45 am
The court has actually acquitted Tejpal of all the charges
A detailed order about it will be offered later in the day, supporter Suhas Velip, junior to promote Rajiv Gomes, who represented Tejpal
in the court, informed reporters
Gomes, who defended Tejpal in the event, died of COVID-19 last week.After the court verdict, the prosecution said it will challenge the
The court had actually earlier adjourned declaration of the decision in the event on three celebrations, citing various factors
The court was to deliver the verdict on April 27, but the judge had adjourned it to May 12
On May 12, it was additional adjourned to May 19
Nevertheless, it was once again adjourned to May 21
After the verdict, a statement provided by Tejpal was read out to media individuals by his daughter Tara outside the court building in
Mapusa town near Panaji, in which he thanked the court for its rigorous, impartial and reasonable trial
The past seven-and-a-half years have been terrible for my household as we have actually handled the disastrous fallout of these false
allegations on every element of our personal, expert and public lives, he stated
We have actually felt the boot of the state, but all through it we have co-operated completely with the Goa authorities and the legal
system, through hundreds of court proceedings, he said
Tejpal stated he and his household have unwaveringly followed every mandate of due treatment and complied with every concept of law as put
We have also endeavoured to promote every standard of decency anticipated in a case like this, he said
It is with extensive respect that I thank this court for its extensive, neutral and fair trial and for its comprehensive evaluation of the
CCTV footage and other empirical product on record, Tejpal added
He also remembered his late advocate Gomes as a dynamic and brilliant attorney
Speaking to reporters, public district attorney Francis Tavora stated the session's court order would be challenged in the high court
As quickly as we get the comprehensive written order, we will approach the high court challenging it, he said.The Goa cops had
registered an FIR versus Tejpal in November 2013, following which he was arrested.The Goa criminal activity branch had filed a charge sheet
against Tejpal, who has been out on bail given that May 2014
He faced trial under IPC sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354 (attack or criminal force with intent to outrage
modesty), 354-A (unwanted sexual advances), 354-B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 376( 2 )(f) (person in
a position of authority over women, committing rape) and 376( 2 )k) (rape by an individual in a position of control)
