3 weeks ago
Bombay HC convicts ex-Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in rape case
In 2013, a young woman in India said her boss, Tarun Tejpal, hurt her in a very bad way inside a hotel elevator.
Tarun Tejpal was a famous journalist who ran a news magazine called Tehelka.
The police arrested him, and the case went to court.
In 2021, a lower court said he was not guilty because it thought there was not enough proof.
But the government of Goa did not agree, so it asked a higher court, called the Bombay High Court, to check the case again.
On Thursday, the High Court said the lower court was wrong and found Tejpal guilty.
The judges said he broke laws that protect women, especially when the person hurting them is someone they trust.
Now Tejpal might have to go to jail for at least ten years, or even for his whole life.
He said he thinks he is a victim and wants to appeal, asking the judges to be kind to him.
The judges will decide his exact punishment later in the day.
The Bombay High Court's Goa bench convicted former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal of rape and other offences, overturning his May 2021 acquittal.
Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar convicted Tejpal under IPC sections 376(2)(f), 376(2)(k), 354A and 354B.
Under section 376, Tejpal faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment; sentencing was scheduled for 2:30 pm.
The case stems from a junior colleague's allegation that Tejpal sexually assaulted her in a hotel elevator during the ThinkFest event in Goa in November 2013; he was arrested on November 30, 2013.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought the maximum sentence, arguing 'no means no', while Tejpal sought leniency as a 62-year-old 'political victim' and father of two daughters.
- Who
- Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal, convicted by a division bench of Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar of the Bombay High Court's Goa bench.
- What
- Convicted on charges of rape, sexual harassment and assault with intent to disrobe, overturning his May 2021 acquittal; sentencing was pending.
- Where
- Goa bench of the Bombay High Court; the trial had been held at the sessions court in Mapusa, Goa.
- When
- Thursday, August 6; the alleged assault occurred on November 7-8, 2013, and Tejpal was acquitted by the sessions court in May 2021.
- Why
- The Goa government appealed the 2021 acquittal, and the High Court found the evidence supported guilt, including that Tejpal held a position of trust and authority over the junior colleague.
Prosecution and the Goa government
Tarun Tejpal's defence
Setting aside the 2021 acquittal
Prosecution and the Goa government
The Goa government appealed, arguing the trial court misread the evidence and wrongly acquitted Tejpal; the Bombay High Court agreed and convicted him.
Tarun Tejpal's defence
Tejpal's defence said the acquittal was supported by CCTV footage, text messages and expert evidence, and that the prosecution failed to prove any sexual assault occurred.
Punishment
Prosecution and the Goa government
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought the maximum punishment, saying a clear message must be sent that 'no means no'.
Tarun Tejpal's defence
Tejpal's counsel sought the minimum punishment; Tejpal pleaded for leniency, saying he is 62, a 'political victim' and the father of two daughters, and will appeal.
How a survivor should behave
Prosecution and the Goa government
The state said the trial court wrongly judged the complainant using preconceived notions of 'normative behaviour'; there is no universal standard for how survivors react.
Tarun Tejpal's defence
The trial court had acquitted Tejpal partly because the complainant did not show the 'normative behaviour' expected of a survivor and her messages did not show trauma.
Key facts
- Convicted
- Tarun Tejpal
- Court
- Bombay High Court, Goa bench
- Offences
- IPC sections 376(2)(f), 376(2)(k), 354A, 354B
- Previous verdict
- Acquitted by the Goa sessions court in Mapusa in May 2021
- Alleged incident
- Sexual assault in a hotel elevator during ThinkFest, Goa, November 7-8, 2013
- Arrest and bail
- Arrested November 30, 2013; bail granted by the Supreme Court in July 2014
- Possible sentence
- Minimum 10 years to life imprisonment
- Next hearing
- Sentencing at 2:30 pm; Tejpal plans to appeal
Quotes
A Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar
Bombay High Court division bench
“Despite the victim being his daughter's age, he committed an offence. He was a father figure for the victim and should have not indulged into this (crime). A precedent must be set. Victim refused but he kept advancing. This court must give out a clear message to the society that when a girl says no, it means no”
NDTV
thehansindia.com
“I am 62 and I believe I am a victim. I have a wife and there's not much else to say. All that I can say is we can go and appeal. Please be lenient for me. Rest all facts are placed on record”
NDTV
Sources
Tarun Tejpal, Ex-Tehelka Editor, Convicted For Raping Junior Colleague In 2013
Bombay HC convicts Tarun Tejpal in 2013 sexual assault case; sets aside acquittal
Bombay High Court convicts Tehelka former editor Tarun Tejpal of raping colleague in Goa
Bombay High Court Convicts Former Tehelka Editor Tarun Tejpal In 2013 Goa Sexual Assault Case, Overturns 2021 Acquittal | Video
Journalist Tarun Tejpal convicted in 2013 rape case, HC sets aside sessions court verdict
13 years later, Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal convicted by Bombay HC for rape of former junior colleague
Bombay High Court convicts former Tehelka Editor Tarun Tejpal in 2013 sexual assault case
Bombay High Court Convicts Tarun Tejpal For Sexual Assault Case In 2013
Bombay HC convicts ex-Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal, reverses acquittal in rape case
Bombay HC Convicts Former Tehelka Editor Tarun Tejpal In 2013 Sexual Assault Case
HC convicts Tarun Tejpal in 2013 rape case, sets aside acquittal
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