The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court will pronounce its order on Friday on the bail plea of Tehelka co-founder Tarun Tejpal.charged with sexual assault on a junior journalist.
The announcement came at the end of arguments on the matter, which were completed on Wednesday before a single member bench of Justice U. V. Bakre.
While the defence lawyers argued their case “in camera”, the prosecution lawyer Saresh Lotlikar on Wednesday did not object to the presence of media while it replied to the defence.
In the course of arguments, the prosecution at one stage alleged that CCTV footage of the alleged sexual assault made available to the defence in form of CD was being leaked even though the latter shot back arguing the video was contrary to the facts of the case presented by the Crime Branch.
“The CD [of the CCTV footage at the five star hotel handed over to Tejpal following court's permission] is being displayed and showed to everybody by the family in Delhi,” Mr. Lotlikar told the Bench.
Opposing his bail plea Mr. Lotlikar said if Tejpal was granted bail he would influence the witnesses and halt the process of trial
“The victim is already feeling traumatised. She has disclosed messages are being circulated vilifying her character,” he said.
The arguments also saw the defence and the prosecution lawyers engaging in verbal duals often over the submissions. Advocate Amit Desai, representing Tejpal raised serious objections to prosecution's allegation that the hard-copy of the 'whatsapp' communications between the victim, her friend and Tejpal's daughter were ‘manipulated.’
Mr. Desai submitted that the CCTV footage procured outside the lift clearly indicated that there could not be a case against the accused as he also rubbished arguments that the victim was “waylaid, abused and taken advantage” by his client.
“It is a heinous crime. It shakes the entire fabric of the society as it brings discredit to agencies who are trying to sensitise on such practices. This shows that what he [Tejpal] preaches does not practice or practices the contrary,” Mr. Lotlikar said.
Mr. Tejpal was present in the court flanked by his family members.
