Bombay HC allows Tejpal to be present for bail plea hearing

The Goa bench of Bombay high court on Monday granted permission to Tehelka founder-editor Tarun Tejpal to be present in the court on Tuesday during hearing of his bail plea.

The Goa bench of Bombay high court on Monday granted permission to Tehelka founder-editor Tarun Tejpal to be present in the court on Tuesday during hearing of his bail plea.

Judge Mridula Bhatkar, however, ordered that he will have to file a fresh application if he wishes to seek an extension of the permission for future hearings.

The 50-year-old journalist, while moving an application before the bench, had contended that his presence was required as he wanted to assist his lawyer during the hearing.

Public prosecutor Saresh Lotlikar had opposed his application arguing that the government incurs expenditure while transporting Tejpal from the sub jail.

Tejpal, arrested on November 30 last year on charges of sexually assaulting a junior woman journalist during an event in the state earlier that month, is currently lodged in Sada sub jail near Vasco town, around 40 km from Panaji.