Sexual Assault: Tejpal kept in confusion over in-camera hearing row

Panaji, Dec 26: Former Editor-in-chief

has been kept in uncertainty over his demand regarding in-camera bail plea hearing in a court in

. Decision on Tejpal's plea will be delivered on Friday, Dec 27.

50-year-old Tejpal was arrested by Goa Police in connection with his alleged role in a sexual assault case. He has been accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague in a hotel in Goa. He has been kept in jail ever since his arrest on Nov 30.

Tejpal's lawyer moved the application for in-camera hearing during his bail plea before the district and sessions court when the case was on board for arguments on his bail plea.

Tejpal's lawyer moved the application for in-camera hearing before Goa court

The arguments on his petition asking for an in-camera hearing were heard on Thursday. The court will subsequently hear his bail petition.

He has been booked under IPC sections including 354-A (sexual harassment, physical contact, advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures, or any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature), 376 (rape) and 376 (2)(k) (rape by a person of a woman in his custody taking advantage of his official position).

The journalist is currently lodged in Sada sub-jail. A local court had on December 23 extended the judicial custody of Tejpal for 12 days after his initial custody expired.

His lawyers had also moved a petition before the district court seeking his bail stating that "the accused has not been questioned by police since he was lodged in the judicial custody".

OneIndia News
(With PTI inputs)