Tarun J Tejpal - WHEN THE BJP DID NOT HAVE ITS WAY IN THE TARUN TEJPAL CASE
                     WHEN THE BJP DID NOT 
HAVE ITS WAY IN THE 
TARUN TEJPAL CASE
presented by tarun j tejpal
Tarun J Tejpal - With Justice N. V. Ramana having taken over as Chief Justice of India there is a ray of hope with the 
Judiciary now reasserting itself. Over the last few years it is the perception of the common man that judicial standards had been dithering 
while the independence of this very vital organ clearly compromised.
In Goa we need to commend that Additional Sessions Judge for having had the spine to acquit Tarun Tejpal though the BJP wanted him 
convicted and punished hook or by crook.
The Judge has given a detailed reasoning in her 527 
page judgment which now will be judged by the High 
court in view of the speedy appeal filed by the State. The 
Judge however did seriously err by mentioning the name 
and details of the victim girl in the judgment something 
which the law does not permit. This is a lapse on the part 
of the Judge but undoubtedly it was not intentional. 
Any advocate who has appeared before this Judge will testify that she has been known to be a very upright, no nonsense Judge who never cows 
down to any pressure whatsoever. With a mind of her own and being extremely meticulous on every issue she is considered to be a very difficult 
Judge to deal with. 
Within minutes of the order being passed by the Court acquitting Tarun J 
Tejpal, Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant very irresponsibly rushed in blurting that the judgment was bad and that an appeal 
was being filed. This statement by the Chief Minister without even reading the judgment is highly contumacious and a clear 
aspersion on the Court which would border on contempt. In the absence of the reasoned Judgment, it is inconceivable for the State 
to have “applied its mind” and come to any conclusion – one way or the other. The manner, in which the head of the State rushed 
to make such a comment, shows the typical mindset of the Government, to somehow fix anyone who dares cross the path of the 
BJP or seeks to expose its misdoings. 
Some years ago then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had to tender an unconditional written apology to the Bombay High Court for 
his such contumacious statements against the Judiciary. Will it now be the turn of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to also do so? Only 
time will tell.