The media was on Friday was debarred from covering the court proceedings in the sexual assault case in which former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal has been accused of sexually assaulting a junior employee in 2013.
Even as the case was called out on Thursday, the Defence counsel moved an application before the Additional District and Sessions Judge Vijaya Pol seeking that the trial be conducted in-camera, as per the provisions of Section 327 (ii) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The large media contingent were sent out of the court premises, after the presiding judge accepted the application.
Under the provisions of Section 327 (ii), the presiding judge, if she deems fit, can allow for in-camera conducting of the trial, on the request of either of the contesting parties.
Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, public prosecutor Francisco Tavera said “An application was moved under 327 (ii) of the CrPC
to keep the trial in camera.”
Tejpal, who was also accompanied by his family members, later dodged the waiting mediapersons, refusing to respond to questions.
Tejpal has been accused of allegedly sexually assaulting his junior colleague in the elevator of a five-star hotel near Panaji. Tejpal, along with Tehelka, were hosting an international conference ‘ThinkFest’, when the incident had occurred. After dodging the police for several days, Tejpal later surrendered to the Crime Branch of the Goa Police and was later remanded to judicial custody for several months, before being released on bail.