Hearing in sexual assault case against Tejpal on Oct 7

A Goa court posted the next hearing in the trial of the sexual harassment case filed against the Tehelka magazine founder Tarun Tejpal by one of his former woman colleagues. However, SC has asked the lower court to complete the trial in the case, preferably within six months.

Panaji (Goa): A Goa court on Monday posted for October 7 the next hearing in the trial against Tehelka magazine founder Tarun Tejpal in a sexual assault case lodged by his former woman colleague.

North Goa district and sessions judge Kshama Joshi heard the case on Monday following which it was kept for next hearing on October 7, public prosecutor Francisco Tavera said.

A Supreme Court (TC) bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra last month asked the lower court to complete the trial in the case, preferably within six months.

Judge Joshi said that the trial will be completed within the given time.

"There is the direction in the matter and it is the duty of the court to comply with it," she said.

Tejpal, who appeared before the court, requested that the next date for hearing be fixed in November, which the judge refused.

Later, Tejpal told reporters outside the court that he is confident that "all truth will come out".

The apex court last month refused Tejpal's plea to quash the First Information Report (FIR) filed against him.

Tejpal allegedly sexually assaulted the complainant inside an elevator of a five-star hotel in Goa in 2013.

He has denied the allegations levelled against him.

Tejpal was arrested on November 30, 2013, by the crime branch after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the court.

He has been out on bail since May 2014.

In September last year, the district court framed charges against Tejpal.

He was booked under various Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections, including 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 350 (criminal force), 376 (rape) and 354(A) and (B) (sexually coloured remarks and use of criminal force on woman).

He had earlier also moved to the Bombay High Court, seeking a stay on the framing of charges against him, but his petition was dismissed.