The Goa government has appealed to the High Court against the release of journalist Tarun Tejpal

New Delhi, May 26, 2021, Wednesday

Prominent journalist Tarun Tejpal has been acquitted by a lower court in Goa for allegedly sexually abusing a woman journalist. At the same time, the lower court also cast doubt on the police investigation. The court acquitted Tarun Tejpal on the ground that the Goa police had destroyed evidence during the investigation and had not produced proper witnesses.

Meanwhile, the Goa government has now appealed to the Bombay High Court to bring the woman journalist to justice against the lower court's verdict.

When Tarun Tejpal was released by the lower court, the court remarked that Goa police had destroyed CCTV footage on the first floor of a five-star hotel during the investigation. Which was an important proof. Impartial investigation is a fundamental right of any accused.

The court, meanwhile, further said in its judgment that the investigating officer had collected CCTV footage of the ground, floor, second floor. However footage of the first floor was not presented in court. Which was a significant omission in the investigation. The investigating officer did not even compare the victim's statement with the CCTV footage. Which would have been the most impartial evidence in this investigation. The court said that it is the responsibility of the investigating officer to conduct an impartial inquiry and bring out the truth.

The court further said that the accused Tarun Tejpal is given the benefit of the doubt after considering the evidence presented before the court. Because there is no evidence to support the allegations made by the plaintiff. The investigating officer also did not seal the room where the recording of the CCTV footage is kept.

Tejpal was charged with allegedly raping the victim in an elevator at a five-star hotel in Goa on November 7, 2013 and again molesting her on November 8. A case was then registered against Tejpal by the police.