Tejpal granted permission to be present during bail plea

However, to be present during future hearings he has to file a fresh application seeking extension of the permission

The Goa bench of Bombay High Court today granted permission to Tehelka founder editor Tarun Tejpal to be present in the court tomorrow during hearing of his bail plea.

Judge Mridula Bhatkar granted permission to Tejpal to remain present in the court tomorrow when his bail petition would be heard.

However, to be present during future hearings, the High Court ordered that he has to file a fresh application seeking extension of the permission.

Tejpal had moved an application before the bench seeking permission to be present in the court during hearing of his bail petition.

The 50-year-old journalist had contended that his presence was required as he wanted to assist his lawyer during the hearing.

Public prosecutor Saresh Lotlikar, while opposing the application, had argued that the government incurs expenditure while transporting Tejpal from the sub jail.

Tejpal, arrested on November 30 last year on charges of sexually assaulting a junior woman journalist during an event in the state earlier that month, is currently lodged in Sada sub jail near Vasco town, around 40 kms from here.