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Goa court frames rape charge against Tejpal, he pleads not guilty (Lead)

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Panaji, Sep 28 (IANS) A Goa court on Thursday formally framed charges, including of rape, against former Tehelka Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal for the alleged sexual assault on his then junior colleague in 2013.

Tejpal has been charged under Sections 376 (2) (rape), 354 ‘A’ and ‘B’ (criminal force with intent to disrobe), 341 (wrongful restraint) 342 (wrongful confinement). After the charges were presented and explained to him, he pleaded not guilty.

His counsel Rajiv Gomes expressed disappointment at Additional District and Sessions Judge Vijaya Pol’s order. Gomes said the framing of charges was not a setback to Tejpal.

The counsel said the defence hoped that its appeal pending before the Bombay High Court’s Panaji bench would reverse the lower court’s order.

Earlier, in the courtroom on Thursday afternoon, North Goa’s Additional District and Sessions Court finalised the charges against Tejpal who allegedly committed rape during an event organised by the Tehelka media group in a five-star resort in Goa.

“It is a procedure in the trial. The court has to explain the charge(s) to him. He has pleaded not guilty to all of them,” Public Prosecutor Francisco Tavora told reporters outside the court premises at Mapusa, 10km north of Panaji.

“It is not a setback at all. It is just a procedural act of explaining the charge(s). The order stands already challenged before the High Court, so if the High Court reverses the order, it is the end of the matter,” Gomes told reporters.

Earlier, Gomes pleaded before the Sessions Court to not frame charges against Tejpal, in view of an appeal filed in the High Court last week, which the court did not accept.

“When the High Court has not imposed a stay on framing of charges, why should I impose a stay on myself,” Judge Pol said.

The Sessions Court fixed the next hearing for November 21, when a status report on Tejpal’s plea in the High Court would be presented before her.

On September 26, while hearing a primary appeal petition filed by Tejpal to seek a stay on framing of charges, the High Court had directed that the trial should resume only after its go-ahead, but refused to stay the processes of formal framing of charges against the former Editor, which was requested by defence lawyers.

“I had contended before the Sessions Court that the explanation of the charge(s) to the accused should be deferred because we are hopeful — we are confident — that we will get a discharge from the High Court. Because we know that there is no case in the prosecution. We are disappointed with the order of the trial court. We are hopeful that we will get relief from the High Court,” Gomes said.

The High Court will hear Tejpal’s plea on November 1.

–IANS
maya/tsb/bg

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Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

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Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.

The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.

Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.

Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.

For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.

During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.

Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.

Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .

Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.

In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.

In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.

He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.

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