Team Herald
PANJIM: Trial of former Tehelka magazine editor Tarun Tejpal in a sexual assault allegation in all probability will conclude before Supreme Court’s deadline of March 31, for completion of trial.
The fast track trial before the Additional and District Sessions Court, Mapusa saw deposition of two defence witnesses on Saturday.
The prosecution has completed examining its 71 witnesses. With barely a handful witnesses left for examination, it has been learnt that the trial will complete before the Apex Court’s deadline.
The Apex Court, in October 2020 had extended the deadline for completion of the trial against Tejpal till March 31. The earlier deadline stood at December 31, 2020.
In September 2017, the court had framed charges against Tejpal under Sections 341, 342 (Punishment for Wrongful Restraint), 354 (A) (Sexual Harassment and Punishment for Sexual Harassment), 354 (B) (Assault or Use of Criminal Force on a Woman), 376 (Rape) Sub Section (2)(F) (Person in Position of Trust or Authority Over Women, Committing Rape of Such Women) and 376 (2)(K) (Rape of a Woman by a Person Being in Position of Control or Dominance Over the Women) but Tejpal has pleaded not guilty under all these sections.
After three years and amidst ongoing trial, the Crime Branch filed a 19-page supplementary charge sheet against Tejpal. The Court, while allowing taking on record the supplementary charge sheet, had however observed the intention was to delay the matter although Supreme Court has directed completing the trial within the extended time frame.
As the trial is conducted on a day-to-day basis and with prosecution already concluding examining its witnesses, another defence witness is likely to depose before the court on Monday.
