Panaji (Goa) The High Court today refused to stay the framing of charges against Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal but also directed the district court not to examine the witnesses if  charges are framed against him.

High Court Judge Prithviraj Chavan while hearing the petition filed by Tejpal seeking to drop the charges against him issued notice to the State government fixing the matter for November 01.

The Judge also ruled that in the event that district court frames charges against Tejpal, the recording of the evidence should be deferred. The court refused to stay the framing of charges against Tejpal.

Tejpal through his lawyer Aman Lekhi had challenged the decision of District Court which was given on September 7 that had refused to drop charges against him.

The former Tehelka Editor in Chief is facing charges under Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), and 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 354 (b) (criminal assault with intent to disrobe).