New Delhi,: The Supreme Court yesterday granted bail to Tehelka founder editor Tarun Tejpal in a sexual assault case.
Tejpal was arrested in Goa in November last year after a woman colleague accused him of sexually assaulting her in a hotel there that month.
Granting bail, a bench of Justice H L Dattu and Justice S A Bobde said: “In the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the opinion that petitioner (Tejpal) is entitled for regular bail.”
Addressing the apprehensions of the Goa government that Tejpal would use his liberty to interfere with the trial by influencing the witnesses, the court cautioned Tejpal to refrain from directly or indirectly doing so.
“The petitioner shall not directly or indirectly resort to inducement, threat or coercion of witnesses,” the court said, giving liberty to the Goa government to “make an application if for any reason petitioner (Tejpal) violates the bail condition”.
The court directed the trail court to complete the trial in eight months and asked Tejpal to remain present on all days and not seek unnecessary adjournments.
It said that in case Tejpal was unable to be present, he would take permission of the court and intimate the investigating agency about it. The court also directed Tejpal to surrender his passport to the trial court if he has not already not done so.
IANS
