Tehelka case: Tarun Tejpal's bail plea rejected by court

PANAJI: A local court today rejected the bail petition of Tehelka founder-editor Tarun Tejpal, who is currently in judicial custody for allegedly raping a woman journalist.

District and Sessions Judge Anuja Prabhudesai today dismissed the bail application filed by Tejpal.

The 50-year-old journalist was arrested on November 30 in Goa after a woman journalist alleged that he raped her in the lift of a five-star hotel during an event on November 7 and 8 last year.

The judge today pronounced the single sentence order dismissing the bail.

During the arguments, the lawyer representing Tejpal had said that his custody was not required for the investigating agency, as they have recorded all the statements.

However, government lawyer expressed fears that Tejpal might influence witnesses if he is released on bail.