State seeks virtual hearing in plea challenging Tejpal acquittal

PANJIM: The Goa Government has filed an application before the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court seeking virtual hearing in the plea challenging acquittal of Tarun Tejpal, former editor-in-chief of Tehelka, in a 2013 sexual assault case.
Tejpal, has on August 10, in a submission before the Bombay High Court at Goa had sought an “in-camera” hearing in the matter, which was strongly opposed by the Goa Government, through its senior counsel Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta saying the “country has the right to know how the institution dealt with the girl”.
In an application moved before the Chief Justice, Goa government has said “the case is very important for the state of Goa and also the public at large and has wider ramifications on law and conduct of rape cases”.
It also urged the Chief Justice to allow a virtual hearing in the case “in furtherance of justice and equity.”
State had informed the court on August 31 that it will file an application before the Chief Justice seeking a virtual hearing so that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta can continue to represent the state government from Delhi.  The High Court had adjourned the case till September 20.
The application filed through Additional Public Prosecutor Pravin Faldesai states that though in Goa now the matters are exclusively heard physically in court, the ongoing pandemic and the restrictions on inter-state travel due to COVID-19 pandemic makes it difficult for the Solicitor General of India to physically appear in the present matter.
Tejpal was acquitted from the case on May 21 by additional district court. The State had challenged the acquittal before the High Court.