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Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal, accused of sexually assaulting a woman journalist, on Thursday filed an application before a local court demanding an in-camera hearing of his bail petition.
Tejpal's lawyer moved the application for in-camera hearing before the district and sessions court when the case was on board for arguments on his bail plea.
The arguments on his petition asking for an in-camera hearing were heard on Thursday and the court will announce its verdict on Friday. The court will subsequently hear his bail petition.
Fifty-year-old Tejpal, accused of sexually assaulting a former junior woman colleague in a hotel in Panaji in early November, was arrested by the Goa police on November 30. He has been booked under the Indian Penal Code sections including 354-A (sexual harassment, physical contact, advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures, or any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature), 376 (rape) and 376 (2)(k) (rape by a person of a woman in his custody taking advantage of his official position).
The journalist is currently lodged in Sada sub-jail. A local court had on December 23 extended the judicial custody of Tejpal for 12 days after his initial custody expired.
His lawyers had also moved a petition before the district court seeking his bail, stating, "The accused has not been questioned by the police since he was lodged in the judicial custody."
Image: Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal