The Bombay High Court in Goa said on Tuesday that it will hear on September 20 the appeal filed by Goa government challenging journalist Tarun Tejpal’s acquittal in a case filed by his former colleague of raping and sexually harassing her.
A division bench of justices M.S. Sonak and M.S. Jawalkar was informed that a request was made before the chief justice to have a hybrid (physical and virtual) hearing in the matter. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta had earlier said, “the system expects sensitivity over jurisprudence. We owe it to our girls”.
On May 21, special judge Kshama Joshi of the Mapusa District and Sessions Court, Goa, acquitted Mr. Tejpal of all charges of rape by a person in position of control, rape by a person in position of authority, assault with the intent of outraging modesty, assault with intent to disrobe, and sexual harassment.
The State of Goa filed an appeal before the High Court challenging the acquittal.
On November 7, 2013, Mr. Tejpal’s daughter’s friend and a junior colleague accused him of forcefully kissing, molesting, undressing and attempting to perform oral sex on her in the lift of a five-star hotel.
