The Bombay High Court at Goa on Monday said it would virtually hear on October 27 the Goa government’s appeal challenging the acquittal of former journalist Tarun Tejpal in a case of rape and sexual assault in 2013.
Advocate General of Goa Devidas Pangam appeared before a Division Bench of Justices M.S. Sonak and M.S. Jawalkar and sought for a date to commence the hearing.
The Bench then decided to take it up on October 27 virtually as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta is expected to appear on behalf of the Goa government from New Delhi.
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On the last occasion, a request was made before the Chief Justice to have a hybrid hearing (physical and virtual) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Mehta had earlier said, “The system expects sensitivity over jurisprudence. We owe it to our girls.”
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On May 21, 2021, special judge Kshama Joshi at 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 Goa government immediately filed an appeal before the High Court challenging the acquittal.
On November 7, 2013, Mr. Tejpal’s daughter’s friend and 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.