Bombay High Court overturns ex-Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal’s acquittal, convicts in 2013 rape case

New Delhi: In a major legal reversal, the Bombay High Court on Thursday set aside the 2021 acquittal of former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, convicting him of rape and sexual harassment in connection with a 2013 assault on a junior colleague.

A Division Bench comprising Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar allowed the Goa government's appeal against a May 2021 order by a Mapusa sessions court that had cleared Tejpal of all charges.

The bench convicted Tejpal under Sections 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(k) (rape), 354A (sexual harassment), and 354B (assault with intent to disrobe) of the Indian Penal Code.

The case dates back to November 2013, when a junior colleague accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside an elevator at a luxury hotel during a media event in Goa. Tejpal was arrested later that month after his anticipatory bail was rejected, and he was eventually granted bail by the Supreme Court in July 2014.

When the trial court acquitted Tejpal in May 2021, the judge cited investigative lapses and gaps in evidence, including missing CCTV footage. Challenging the decision, the Goa Police argued before the High Court that the lower court had wrongly focused on the survivor's post-incident behavior and background while overlooking key evidence, including an apology email sent by Tejpal shortly after the incident.

Following the conviction verdict, Tejpal pleaded for leniency, maintaining his innocence and asking the court for a compassionate view, while his legal team requested an eight-week suspension of the conviction to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Opposing any leniency, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the case demanded a strict message against sexual violence, emphasizing that "when a girl says no, it means no."

The High Court adjourned proceedings to hear arguments on sentencing, with a detailed judgment expected to follow.

(Inputs from IANS)