The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea by Tehelka magazine founder Tarun Tejpal seeking quashing of charges against him in a sexual assault case filed by a former woman colleague.

A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra asked Goa's lower court to complete the trial preferably within six months.

Tejpal is alleged to have sexually assaulted the colleague inside an elevator of a five-star hotel in Goa in 2013. He has denied the allegations.

Tejpal was arrested on November 30, 2013, by the crime branch after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the court. He has been out on bail since May 2014.

The court had reserved its order on the plea on August 6.

Goa police had claimed that there were 'contemporaneous' WhatsApp messages and emails which showed that the Tehelka magazine founder should face trial. The police, while opposing Tejpal's plea seeking quashing of charges, told the court that there was 'ample material' against him.

Tejpal had moved the apex court, challenging the Bombay High Court's December 20, 2017, order dismissing his plea seeking quashing of the charges. He had claimed there were inconsistencies in the video recordings and statements of the victim before the magistrate.

The trial court in the Mapusa town of Goa had framed charges against Tejpal under various Sections of the IPC, including alleged sexual harassment and provisions related to rape.