Journalist Tarun Tejpal acquitted in sexual assault case
The case dates back to 2013, when Tejpal was accused of sexually assaulting a junior colleague in an elevator of a high-end hotel in Goa.
FollowA district court in Goa acquitted Tarun Tejpal in sexual harassment case on May 21.
In a statement, Tejpal thanked the court for its "rigorous, impartial and fair trial". "It is with profound respect that I thank this court for its thorough examination of the CCTV footage and other empirical material on record," Tejpal said.
The judgment was pronounced by Additional Sessions Judge Kshama Joshi.
The case dates back to 2013, when Tejpal was accused of sexually assaulting a junior colleague in an elevator of a high-end hotel in Goa.
He was accused of forcing himself on the woman, against her wishes, inside an elevator of the Grand Hyatt, Bambolim, Goa on November 7 and 8, 2013, during the newsmagazine's official event - the THiNK 13 festival.
The Goa Police subsequently registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Tejpal for various offences including rape.
He was tried for committing offences punishable under IPC Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354 (sexual harassment), 354A(1)(I)(II)(demand for sexual favours), 354B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 376 (2)(f) (person in a position of authority over women, committing rape) and 376(2)(k) (rape by a person in a position of control).
He was arrested in November 2013 and later released on bail in July 2014.
The trial against Tejpal commenced in 2017. In the meanwhile, he had moved the Bombay High Court for quashing the case against him, claiming that the charges were fabricated.
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