Tarun Tejpal, former Tehelka editor, charged with rape by Goa court; next hearing on November 21

Tarun Tejpal, the former editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine, has been charged with rape by the Goa High Court on Thursday.

He has been charged under Section 341, 342, 343, 354 A, 354 B and 376 subsection 2 of the Indian Penal Code.

The charges mean 354-A (sexual harassment and punishment for sexual harassment), 354-b (assault or use of criminal force on a woman with intent to disrobe), 341 and 342 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 376(2)(f) (person in position of trust or authority over women, committing rape of such women) and 376(2) (k) (rape of a woman by a person being in position of control or dominance over the woman).

Justice Prithviraj Chavan refused to stay the process of framing of charges against Tejpal after hearing the petition and also directed that examination of witnesses at the lower court could only begin, after its consent.

This is the first case in recent times in which the probe has relied on "position of trust" as a crucial aspect in an allegation of rape.

The next hearing in the rape case against Tejpal is scheduled for November 21.

Tejpal is accused of raping a junior woman colleague during an event organised by the magazine in Goa on November 7, 2013.

A day later, Tejpal allegedly assaulted the same colleague in the hotel lift again.

Ten days later, the journalist wrote an email to managing editor Shoma Chaudhary on November 18, 2013.

On November 22, the Goa Police filed a formal FIR in the case. Three days later, on November 25, the victim resigned from the magazine stating that she was deeply traumatised and that nobody from the magazine stood by her.

(With agency input)