SC notice on Tejpal plea for bail

The Supreme Court Monday issued notice to the Goa government on the bail plea by Tehelka founder editor Tarun Tejpal, currently in jail for the alleged sexual assault on a junior woman colleague in Goa.

Tejpal is in jail since November 30, 2013.

An apex court bench headed by Chief Justice P. Sathasivam issued notice as senior counsel Harish Salve urged that Tejpal be given interim bail and said he would not leave Goa without the trial court's consent.

The notice is returnable in four weeks.

Tejpal is accused of twice sexually assaulting a junior woman journalist colleague November 7 and 8 in Goa's Grand Hyatt Hotel during a Thinkfest event the magazine organises in the state every year.

Goa Police had issued a non-bailable warrant and arrested him November 30 after the Delhi High Court refused him anticipatory bail.

He is in jail since then with the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court having denied him bail March 14 and again April 10 even while a charge-sheet has been filed against him.

He was charged February 18 with rape, sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of a junior colleague.