Tarun Tejpal's bail plea heard in camera

PANAJI: The arguments on the bail application filed by Tehelka founder editor Tarun Tejpal in the alleged sexual assault case were heard in-camera before the district and sessions court at Panaji on Tuesday.
The hearing began at 11.20am and continued till 4.30pm, with a lunch break. Senior counsel Amit Desai from Mumbai represented Tejpal in the case.
Only immediate family members of the accused and lawyers representing both parties were allowed to remain in the court.A few mediapersons who had been anxiously sitting in the court room since 10am were also asked to leave the court room.
The sessions court judge, Anuja Prabhudesai, had on January 4allowed the partial in-camera hearing on Tuesday to Tejpal's lawyer to make submission of facts of the case. The arguments on law point regarding the case were made by Tejpal's lawyer in open court on Saturday. Tejpal's lawyer had sought in-camera hearing on the ground that what is stated on behalf of the applicant regarding the incident should not be subject of scrutiny by the media outside the court.
The court has adjourned the hearing till Friday.
Special public prosecutor Saresh Lotlikar, assisted by public prosecutor Francisco Tavora, is likley to submit his arguments opposing the bail plea in the open court on Friday.
Tejpal, who was arrested in connection with a sexual assault case on November 30, 2013, is in judicial custody and has been lodged in the sub-jail at Sada, Vasco.