A Sessions Court in Goa on Friday acquitted Tarun Tejpal, former Tehelka editor-in-chief, of all charges in the sexual assault and rape case filed against him by a junior colleague.
After several adjournments, Additional Sessions Judge Kshama Joshi finally pronounced the verdict in the case which relates to incidents in November 2013.
The Additional District Court was to pronounce the verdict on April 27, but judge Kshama Joshi then adjourned the verdict to May 12. The Court had then said it will pronounce the verdict on Wednesday. However, it was again adjourned to today.
The case dates back to 2013 when Tejpal was accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague inside the lift of a five-star hotel in Goa during an event. Arrested on November 30, 2013, Tejpal was later released on bail and had denied the allegations.
The Goa crime branch had filed a charge sheet against Tejpal. He faced trial under sections 341, 342, 354, 354-A, 354-B, 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(k) IPC.
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Earlier, the journalist had moved the Bombay High Court, seeking a stay on the framing of charges against him, but his petition was dismissed.