Bombay HC Jails Tehelka Ex-Editor Tarun Tejpal for 10 Yrs in 2013 Junior Colleague Rape Case (!).
Bureau,Odishabarta
Mumbai,( 06/08/26): The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday sentenced former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal to 10 years in prison, convicting him in the 2013 sexual assault case involving his junior colleague.
The verdict came on the Goa government’s appeal challenging Tejpal’s acquittal by a sessions court in 2021.
The case dates back to November 7-8, 2013, when a female journalist accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside a hotel elevator.
He was arrested later that month and charged in 2017 under multiple IPC provisions, including rape, sexual harassment, and wrongful confinement. Though Tejpal pleaded not guilty and sought relief from the Supreme Court, the trial proceeded.
In May 2021, the Goa sessions court acquitted him, citing lack of medical evidence and relying on messages exchanged between Tejpal and the complainant. The state government termed the acquittal “perverse” and moved the High Court.
Delivering Thursday’s judgment, the High Court set aside the acquittal, holding that the trial court had failed to appreciate evidence properly. Former investigating officer of the case, Sunita Sawant welcomed the order, saying the High Court had corrected serious flaws in the earlier ruling.
Tejpal, speaking to reporters before sentencing, alleged political vendetta and vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court. “For 13 years they have been after me because of Tehelka’s journalism. We will fight, and I have faith the truth will prevail,” he said.
The conviction reaffirms charges under IPC Section 376(2)(F) and other provisions, while acquitting him of gangrape. The case will surely head for another round of legal battle in the apex court.
#agencies
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