Former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal has been handed a 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence by the Bombay High Court's Goa bench for a 2013 sexual assault case. The court overturned his 2021 acquittal, finding him guilty. Following the verdict, Tejpal stated his intention to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court, asserting that the prosecution against him is driven by "political vendetta."
Bombay High Court Reverses Acquittal
Earlier today, a division bench of Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar reversed the acquittal granted by a Goa sessions court in May 2021. Tejpal was found guilty in the sexual assault case involving a former junior colleague. In addition to the imprisonment, the court imposed various fines under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, with all sentences running concurrently. Tejpal has been granted two weeks to surrender to the authorities.
Tejpal Alleges Political Vendetta, Vows Supreme Court Appeal
Speaking to reporters after the sentencing, Tejpal maintained his innocence and accused his detractors of pursuing him due to "political vendetta" and the investigative work done by Tehelka magazine. "We will surely approach the Supreme Court. They are after me due to a political vendetta and work done by Tehelka," Tejpal stated, expressing full faith in the judiciary to review the evidence and deliver justice.
Background of the 2013 Sexual Assault Case
The case dates back to November 2013, when a former junior colleague accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside a hotel elevator during Tehelka magazine's ThinkFest event in Goa. Following the allegations, Goa Police registered an FIR, and Tejpal was arrested on November 30, 2013, after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected. He was later granted bail by the Supreme Court in July 2014.
In May 2021, a sessions court in Goa acquitted Tejpal of all charges. This decision was met with criticism and subsequently challenged by the Goa government before the Bombay High Court. The state argued that the trial court had erred in its assessment of the survivor's testimony and relied on stereotypical expectations of how a victim of sexual assault should behave post-incident.
A Prolonged Legal Battle
The High Court's judgment marks a significant turn in what has been one of India's most closely watched sexual assault trials involving a prominent media figure. Nearly 13 years after the alleged incident, the appellate court's decision to overturn the acquittal and convict Tejpal underscores the persistent legal complexities and public interest surrounding the case. Tejpal's announcement to appeal in the Supreme Court ensures that this high-profile legal battle is far from over.