Bombay High Court Sentences Tarun Tejpal to 10 Years for Sexual Assault
Tarun Tejpal Convicted in Sexual Assault Case
File image of ex-Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal(Photo: @DesiEsco7/X)
Mumbai, Aug 6: The Bombay High Court has sentenced Tarun Tejpal, the former editor of Tehelka, to ten years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with a sexual assault case from 2013 involving a junior colleague. This ruling came shortly after the court overturned his previous acquittal and found him guilty of rape and other related offenses under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
A bench comprising Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar announced the sentence, allowing Tejpal a two-week period to surrender to authorities.
Earlier, the court accepted an appeal from the Goa government challenging a May 2021 decision by a sessions court in Mapusa that had cleared Tejpal of all charges.
In its ruling, the Bombay High Court convicted Tejpal under various sections of the IPC, including Sections 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(k) for rape, as well as 354A for sexual harassment and 354B for assault with intent to disrobe. The court scheduled the sentencing for later that same day.
During the sentencing hearing, Tejpal's lawyer requested an eight-week suspension of the conviction to allow for an appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing that the reversal of the acquittal was significant and that there were no other criminal charges against him.
Tejpal himself appealed for leniency, claiming he was a victim and asking the court to consider a compassionate approach in determining his sentence.
In opposition, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta emphasized the need for a strong message against sexual violence, asserting that consent must be respected.
The case originated from allegations made by a junior colleague who accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her in a hotel elevator in Goa during an event in November 2013.
The Goa Police filed an FIR against Tejpal for rape, leading to his arrest in November 2013 after a local court denied his anticipatory bail request. He was later granted regular bail by the Supreme Court in July 2014.
In May 2021, Additional Sessions Judge Kshama Joshi acquitted Tejpal, stating that the prosecution had not met the burden of proof and citing investigative shortcomings, including the absence of certain evidence like CCTV footage.
The Goa government subsequently appealed the acquittal to the Bombay High Court, arguing that the trial court misinterpreted the evidence presented.
During the appeal, the prosecution contended that the Sessions Court had improperly focused on the survivor's behavior after the incident rather than the evidence against Tejpal. They also pointed out that the trial court overlooked crucial evidence, including an apology email allegedly sent by Tejpal following the allegations.