Tarun Tejpal arrested after Goa court rejects his anticipatory bail plea
The 50-year-old Tehelka founder was formally taken into custody at the Crime Branch headquarters.
A day after a Goa court gave relief to the founder-editor of Tehelka magazine,Tarun Tejpal,barring the police from arresting him until today’s hearing,the court on Saturday rejected his anticipatory bail plea. The decision of the court came after a day full of arguments and counter arguments in the court. Here are the highlights of the proceedings:
9:27 pm The Goa Police arrested Tehelka founder-editor Tarun Tejpal after Principal and Sessions Judge Anuja Prabhudesai rejected his anticipatory bail plea. Tejpal was arrested from the Crime Branch office where he had arrived in the evening as the court resumed for a decision on his bail plea.
9:24pm Lawyers leave the police station as #Tejpal’s family waits outside crime branch. The investigation team has gathered. Formal arrest shortly
9:17 pm We are formally going ahead with the arrest of Tejpal,says Goa Police
9:15 pm Once arrested,Tejpal to be taken for medical check up at Goa medical hospital.
8:35 pm Tarun Tejpal’s lawyer Geeta Luthra reiterates that they are giving 100 per cent cooperation to Goa police.
8:16 pm Goa court has allowed Tarun Tejpal’s lawyer to meet him once a day during interrogation.
8:13 pm Tarun Tejpal to be formally arrested after Investigation Officer Sunita Sawant reaches Goa Police crime branch office. She has already left the court.
8:11 pm Goa court allows home-cooked food and clothes for Tarun Tejpal during custody.
8:07 pm Principal and Sessions Judge Anuja Prabhudesai rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Tehelka founder-editor Tarun Tejpal,who has been accused of rape by a female colleague.
6:29 pm The decision gets delayed as Principal and Sessions Judge Anuja Prabhudesai gets her judgement typed inside her chamber.
4:36 pm Prosecution lawyer Saresh Lotlikar and Defence lawyer Geeta Luthra have walked inside the court of Principal and Sessions Judge Anuja Prabhudesai. Tarun Tejpal’s family is also present at the court.
Meanwhile,Tarun Tejpal is at Donapaula Crime Branch office.
12:26 pm Court adjourns decision on Tarun Tejpal’s bail plea till 4.30 pm.
12:13 pm The prosecution blames Tarun Tejpal for adding “salt to injury” by questioning the integrity of the victim,adding that immense courage is required by one to come in public and say that she has been “violated by a person who is like a father figure”.
12:05 pm The prosecution targets the defence saying,”You say the law is draconian. Bear in mind that for the law to come in force,to pave its way,somebody had to pay with her life.”
“Your contention that your immaculate reputation and such will be damaged,may we tell you that it’s already gone for a toss,and mere detention under police custody won’t do any further damage.”
11:55 am The prosecution says that the versions of Tarun Tejpal needs to be crosschecked,which is possible only under custodial interrogation. Hitting out at the accused for calling the police biased,the prosecution claims that Tejpal has “misguided by changing his versions again and again”.
11:48 am The prosecution argues that the victim was in a position of trust and is in this background that the case should be approached. Further pressing for Tejpal’s arrest,the prosecution said,”Custodial interrogation different from any other kind of interrogation.”
11:46 am According to the prosecution,the victim’s statement is that she was sexually assaulted by Tejpal and the CCTV footage confirms the position to a certain extent.
11:37 am The prosecution has submitted the assessment of the CCTV footage from the Goa hotel,where the alleged incident took place,to the court.
11:36 am Arguing on behalf of the victim,the prosecution said,“The lady is known to accused and her father was a friend of the accused. Being the sole breadwinner,she had to make the decision of her life before writing the email.”
The prosecution further claimed that contrary to Tejpal,“who is changing colours like a chameleon”,the victim’s statement from the first email to the probe has been consistent. It was further pointed that when the incident came to notice,Tejpal had tendered an apology,which is on record.
11:27 am Prosecution takes charge in the hearing as Tarun Tejpal’s lawyer has concluded her arguments.
11:20 am Citing an earlier judgement,Tarun Tejpal’s lawyer asserts that false allegation of rape is equally stressful. She further said,”While we regard the damage to the woman,we also need to appreciate the damage to applicant.”
10:53 am “Seize my passport if you want…and we have also executed the bond,” says Tejpal’s lawyer on his behalf. She further assured the court that Tejpal would not go anywhere near the residence of the victim,thus avoiding doubts of tampering of statements.
10:46 am On behalf of Tarun Tejpal,his lawyer has told the judge,”I have offered I will stay in Goa till they decide to file a chargesheet. I can be in Bangalore. I can be wherever this court directs.”
10:38 am Tejpal lawyer has asserted that her client has “not abused interim protection”,adding that they are “just asking for an extension”.
10:34 am Defending Tejpal’s bail plea,his lawyer Geeta Luthra tells the court that humiliation and disgrace is attached to the arrest,and has consequences not only for him,also to his family and community he represents.
10:29 am Tehelka Founder-Editor Tarun Tejpal,who has been accused of raping a female colleague,walks inside the court room as the bail plea hearing continues.
10:15 am Tejpal’s lawyer Geeta Luthra began her argument as the Judge gave her one hour time for the same.
10:11 am Hearing on the bail plea of Tarun Tajpal,who is accused of raping a female colleague,has begun in the court of Principal and Sessions Judge Anuja Prabhudesai. Tejpal’s wife and sister are inside the courtroom.
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