<p>The Bombay High Court bench in Goa on Wednesday turned down a plea filed by former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, who had sought in-camera proceedings of a rape case appeal filed against him by the Goa government.</p>.<p>Tejpal, who was accused of rape by a junior colleague in 2013, was acquitted by a trial court earlier this year, following which an appeal was filed by the state government.</p>.<p>Hearing Tejpal's plea for in-camera proceedings of the case Justices Revati Dere and MS Jawalkar said: “For reasons that we will be recording separately in writing, the application is rejected".</p>.<p>In his plea, Tejpal's lawyer, senior counsel Amit Desai had said that the court proceedings should be held in-camera, citing section 327 (ii) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which mandates that an enquiry and trial in a rape case filed under sections 376, 376A, 376B, 376C or 376D of the Indian Penal Code shall be conducted in-camera.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/trial-courts-order-in-tarun-tejpal-case-retrograde-fit-for-5th-century-goa-government-to-hc-1044642.html" target="_blank">Trial court's order in Tarun Tejpal case 'retrograde', 'fit for 5th century': Goa government to HC</a></strong></p>.<p>“Because 327 is intended to protect the reputation of the complainant and the accused. Reputation is a fundamental right and no longer (just) a statutory obligation,” Desai said.</p>.<p>In response, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, who holds brief for the Goa government in the appeal case claimed that Tejpal could plead for an in-camera trial because the appeal filed before the High Court was neither an enquiry nor a trial.</p>.<p>“The appeal is neither an inquiry nor a trial. After the judgement is passed, the trial ends. Article 327 is limited to an inquiry and a trial,” Mehta said.</p>.<p>Tejpal has sought time from the Court to appeal against its order, even as the High Court has scheduled the case for hearing on December 6.</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here</strong></p>
<p>The Bombay High Court bench in Goa on Wednesday turned down a plea filed by former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, who had sought in-camera proceedings of a rape case appeal filed against him by the Goa government.</p>.<p>Tejpal, who was accused of rape by a junior colleague in 2013, was acquitted by a trial court earlier this year, following which an appeal was filed by the state government.</p>.<p>Hearing Tejpal's plea for in-camera proceedings of the case Justices Revati Dere and MS Jawalkar said: “For reasons that we will be recording separately in writing, the application is rejected".</p>.<p>In his plea, Tejpal's lawyer, senior counsel Amit Desai had said that the court proceedings should be held in-camera, citing section 327 (ii) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which mandates that an enquiry and trial in a rape case filed under sections 376, 376A, 376B, 376C or 376D of the Indian Penal Code shall be conducted in-camera.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/trial-courts-order-in-tarun-tejpal-case-retrograde-fit-for-5th-century-goa-government-to-hc-1044642.html" target="_blank">Trial court's order in Tarun Tejpal case 'retrograde', 'fit for 5th century': Goa government to HC</a></strong></p>.<p>“Because 327 is intended to protect the reputation of the complainant and the accused. Reputation is a fundamental right and no longer (just) a statutory obligation,” Desai said.</p>.<p>In response, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, who holds brief for the Goa government in the appeal case claimed that Tejpal could plead for an in-camera trial because the appeal filed before the High Court was neither an enquiry nor a trial.</p>.<p>“The appeal is neither an inquiry nor a trial. After the judgement is passed, the trial ends. Article 327 is limited to an inquiry and a trial,” Mehta said.</p>.<p>Tejpal has sought time from the Court to appeal against its order, even as the High Court has scheduled the case for hearing on December 6.</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here</strong></p>