Zee Media Bureau/Ajith Vijay Kumar

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to Goa government and Goa police, asking them to respond in four weeks why Tehelka magazine founder Tarun Tejpal, who has been charged with allegedly raping a junior female journalist colleague during an event in Goa last year, cannot be given bail in the case.

Tejpal had sought bail plea on the ground that the trial is likely to take time. The petition cited Goa bench of the Bombay High Court judge`s order which refused bail to Tejpal, saying that the trial would begin in two months.

The plea also mentioned that 152 prosecution witnesses have to be cross examined by the court, due to which the trial is likely to get prolonged further.

Tejpal is currently in judicial remand and lodged at Sada sub-jail since November last year.

The police has file 2,846-page chargesheet before a local court on February 17. Tejapl has been charged under many sections of the IPC including Section 376 (Rape).