Rape case: Goa court to frame charges against ex-Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal

Panaji: A trial court here is set to frame on Thursday charges against former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal who is accused of sexually assaulting his junior colleague.

Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court had on Wednesday rejected Tejpal's plea to stall the framing of charges till it decides on his petition to drop the case against him. 

Tejpal claims that he has been ''falsely implicated'' in the case as the allegations of sexual assault are ''absolutely false" and motivated by "political vendetta." 

Briefing reporters outside the District and Sessions Court, public prosecutor Francis Tavora had earlier told reporters that all charges proposed by police including Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), and 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code had been endorsed by the court, while an additional Section 354 (b) (criminal assault with intent to disrobe) had been added in the case against Tejpal.

"Court has directed that all charges should be framed against him. 354 b has been added," he said.

Accused of sexually assaulting a junior female colleague in the elevator of a hotel in north Goa during an event in November 2013, Tejpal was subsequently arrested but is now out on bail.