Supreme Court stays Tarun Tejpal’s trial for 3 weeks

New Delhi, Jan 16: The Supreme court has stayed the trial of founder-editor of Tehelka magazine Tarun Tejpal, who is accused of raping a junior colleague, for three weeks, says media reports.

The apex court has directed a trial court to adjourn the case for three weeks and asked Tejpal to collect necessary documents in his defence.

Tejpal had moved the apex court seeking to stay a Goa court order to go ahead with the trial in the alleged rape case without supplying him "entire records of the case."

In his petition, Tejpal had said that the trial court was proceeding with the case though he had not got necessary documents to prepare his defence.

"That the petitioner has established a good prima facie case on merits and the balance of convenience tilts overwhelmingly in favour of the petitioner. The impugned orders have been passed by the trial court without consideration of the cardinal principle of law," the petition was quoted in Times of India report.

"Therefore, it is just, proper and expedient that the interim relief as prayed for may kindly be granted in favour of the petitioner. Grave and irreparable harm and injury would be caused to the petitioner, in case interim orders as prayed for, are not granted," the petition said further.

Tejpal has been chargesheeted for allegedly raping, sexually harassing and outraging the modesty of a junior colleague during an event at a Goa hotel in November, 2013. He was arrested on November 30, 2013. He is out on bail since May 19, 2014.

OneIndia News
(With agency inputs)