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Tejpal order needs ‘deeper scrutiny’; HC allows appeal against acquittal

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 Stating that the order by a trial court acquitting former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal needed “deeper scrutiny and reappreciation”, the Bombay High Court in Goa on Saturday granted the state government leave to appeal against the former journalist’s acquittal in a 2013 rape case.

“We believe that deeper scrutiny and reappreciation may be necessary of the evidence of the respondent’s SMS, WhatsApp, and email messages sent to the victim. This evidence has to be evaluated from the context of corroboration of the victim’s testimony in the matter,” Justices M.S. Sonak and R.N. Laddha said in their order.

The order also said that there was need to revisit the inferences made by the Additional Sessions Judge Kshama Joshi in the order, passed last year, about the conduct of the victim.

“The inference from the victim’s conduct of consulting some lawyers before lodging her complaint may also require a revisit. Finally, the contention about the alleged admissions in the messages or the proper scope of such statements also requires consideration at this stage, we might have only preferred to record that a prima facie case has been made out and arguable issues arise in the matter,” the court said.

Tejpal, who had challenged the state government’s decision to appeal against his acquittal, claimed procedural lapses on part of the prosecution in their appeal application.

“Based on the material on record, we do not think any case is made out to infer non-application of mind rendering such a decision a nullity. Though valid in some circumstances, the contention about haste and the inference of non-application of mind cannot be mechanically drawn in all events and purposes,” the High Court maintained, rejecting Tejpal’s counsel Amit Desai’s contention.

Tejpal was charged against under sections 376 (rape), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement) 354A (sexual harassment) and 354B (criminal assault), of the Indian Penal Code, after a junior colleague accused him of rape at a five star resort in Goa in 2013.

On May 21, he was acquitted by the trial court in Goa citing “benefit of doubt”, following which an appeal was filed by the state government.

Crime

Two Held With ₹68 Lakh Cash Near India-Myanmar Border In Mizoram; Heroin Worth ₹78 Lakh Seized

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Aizawl: Two persons were arrested with Rs 68 lakh in cash near the India-Myanmar border in east Mizoram’s Champhai district, officials said on Thursday.

Acting on a tip-off, the Assam Rifles intercepted a vehicle at Zote village on August 11, they said.

Upon thorough checking, Rs 60 lakh in cash was recovered from two persons in the vehicle.

The duo, identified as Joseph Lalthansanga and Vanlalruati, could not state any proper reason why they were carrying such a huge amount of cash. They were subsequently handed over to the police for legal action, officials said.

In another operation, the Assam Rifles recovered 94.6 gram of heroin, worth Rs 78 lakh, from the village on Wednesday.

The drugs were handed over to the Excise and Narcotics Department, officials said.

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Crime

Jalgaon Tragedy: 8 Suspects Arrested For Kidnapping, Mob Lynching And Killing 21-Year-Old Suleman Khan

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Jalgaon: Suleman Rahim Khan Pathan, a 21-year-old man, was killed through beating in Jalgaon district of Maharashtra. The incident occurred on Monday when Suleman traveled to Jamner to complete online applications for police recruitment. In the afternoon, as he sat in a cafe with a girl, 8 to 10 men grabbed his mobile phone and unexpectedly assaulted him.

They pulled Suleman to his village and violently assaulted him, making him lose consciousness. When his relatives attempted to rescue him, the assailants reacted with violence towards them as well. Suleman’s 80-year-old grandfather was also affected. The assailants showcased him on the street and struck him with wooden clubs.

Suleman was taken to the hospital by his villagers, where he was pronounced dead by doctors. His father stated that his son was not dating any girl, and during the confrontation, the villagers were unable to assist because of their fear.

According to Suleman’s father, Rahim Khan, on the day of the incident Suleman was working with his father, when around 11 am Suleman told his father he is going to fill up a Police recruitment form after which the people kidnapped and beat him. The people was brought to his home at around 4pm. When the father tried to intervene the mob started attacking him and other members of the family.

Police Arrests 8 Suspects

The authorities have apprehended 8 suspects related to this case up to now. The initial four suspects were apprehended on Tuesday: Abhishek Rajkumar Rajput (22), Ghanshyam also known as Suraj Biharilal Sharma (25), Deepak Bajirao (20), and Ranjan also referred to as Ranjit Ramakrishna Matade (48).

While the other four were taken into custody on Wednesday. All the defendants have been placed in police detention until August 18. The arrests were confirmed by the inspector of the Jamner police station.

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Crime

Palghar News: Young Man Assaulted With Axe In Broad Daylight, Mob Tie Up Attacker Before Police Arrest

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Palghar, Maharashtra: A broad daylight attack in a busy Palghar neighbourhood shocked residents on Wednesday after a young man allegedly assaulted a 35-year-old with an axe, leaving him seriously injured.

The incident occurred around 4 p.m. at the main square in the Kamala Park housing colony on Mahi Road. According to police sources, the accused, believed to be around 27 years old, struck Baboolal Fulchand Yadav in the face with an axe, causing severe injuries. Yadav was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.

Eyewitnesses said the attacker attempted to flee, but local residents intervened, catching him and tying him to a tree with ropes before thrashing him. Police arrived shortly afterward, to control the mob and take the accused into custody 

The motive behind the attack is still under investigation, and the process of registering a formal case in ongoing. The suspect’s identity had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.

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