In a major development in the 2013 sexual assault case involving former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal, the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday overturned the trial court’s acquittal and held him guilty of multiple offences, including rape. The judgment comes more than a decade after the alleged incident and revives one of India’s most closely watched cases involving workplace sexual misconduct.
High Court Reverses 2021 Acquittal
A Division Bench of Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar allowed the Goa government’s appeal against the 2021 acquittal, ruling that the earlier verdict could not stand. The court convicted Tejpal under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code related to rape, sexual harassment and assault.
Following the conviction, the court began hearing arguments on the quantum of punishment before pronouncing the sentence.
Case Stems From 2013 Goa Incident
The case originated in November 2013 after a former junior colleague accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside a hotel elevator during an event in Goa. The allegations led to a police investigation, following which a chargesheet was filed against the former journalist.
Tejpal was arrested during the investigation and later released on bail. After years of trial proceedings, a sessions court in Goa acquitted him in 2021, citing insufficient corroborative evidence. The Goa government subsequently challenged that verdict before the Bombay High Court.
Prosecution Seeks Maximum Punishment
During the hearing on sentencing, the prosecution urged the High Court to impose the strictest punishment permitted under law, arguing that the gravity of the offence warranted a strong judicial response.
The state maintained that the conviction involved offences committed by a person who held a position of authority over the complainant, making the case particularly serious.
Tejpal Says He Will Challenge Verdict
After being convicted, Tarun Tejpal requested leniency before the court while maintaining that he considers himself a victim. He indicated that he intends to challenge the High Court’s decision before a higher judicial forum.
With the conviction now recorded, the legal battle is expected to move to the appellate stage as Tejpal prepares to contest the verdict.
