A sessions court in Goa has framed charges against former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, as per media reports. The trial against Tejpal will begin on 21 October after he pleaded not guilty in court.

A sessions court in Goa has framed charges against former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal in connection with rape of a woman colleague at an event in 2013. Tejpal made an appearance in court on Thursday, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual harassment. The trial against him will begin on 21 October.

#TejpalChargedWithRape -- #TarunTejpal pleads not guilty in court. Trial to commence from 21st October

(File Image) pic.twitter.com/aZ1FgMxhln — News18 (@CNNnews18) September 28, 2017

North Goa's Additional District and Sessions Court also asked for a status report on a petition filed by Tejpal before the Panaji bench of the Bombay High Court related to the forthcoming trial. The court will hear the case again on 21 November. Tejpal has been charged with rape, sexual harassment and wrongful restraint. Earlier, the court had refused to postpone framing of charges against the senior journalist, and a copy of the charges has been handed over to him.

#BREAKING – Tejpal rape case: Court refuses to defer framing of charges. Copy of charges handed over to Tejpal. @Arunima24 with more details pic.twitter.com/RT3NUGCO09 — News18 (@CNNnews18) September 28, 2017

Tejpal's lawyer had sought postponing the framing of charges, saying it should be put off until the high court petition could be disposed with.

"We will urge the court to postpone framing of charges since the high court has said no trial (sic) and witnesses should not be examined. So no point in framing. It should be put away till our high court petition is disposed off," Tejpal's lawyer Rajeev Gomes said on Thursday.

Gomes added that there was no evidence against Tejpal and alleged that prosecution had "made up the case". He said that CCTV footage cannot be believed, since versions of the victim differ from statements given by witnesses. The lawyer alleged that the case is "political vendetta".

The former editor-in-chief has been accused of sexually assaulting a junior female colleague in the elevator of a hotel in north Goa during an event in November 2013.

Tejpal was subsequently arrested but is now out on bail.

With inputs from agencies