Tejpal's interim bail extended till July 1

The Supreme Court Friday extended till July 1 the interim bail of Tehelka founder editor Tarun Tejpal in a sexual assault case.

An apex court bench of Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice Shiva Kirti Singh said the interim bail granted to him will continue till the next date of hearing July 1.

Tejpal was arrested in Goa after a woman colleague accused him of sexually assaulting her in a hotel there in November last year.

As the court said the matter would be heard next week, senior counsel Salman Khurshid sought extension of the interim bail.

This was opposed by counsel for Goa government who said that there was no application for the extension. It said the bail that was sought to perform the rituals following Tejpal's mother's death was being sought to be extended on one pretext or the other.

Goa government counsel said the victim has filed an FIR for the hacking of her email account.

Counsel told the court that the victim's friend was getting mails pressurising him to resolve the issue.

On May 19, the apex court granted Tejpal three weeks' interim bail so that he could carry out the last rites and other rituals of his mother.

This was later extended till June 27 as more rituals were to be completed.

Tejpal has been charged with rape, sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of a woman.