3 weeks ago
Newslaundry Under Scanner Over Sexual Harassment After Tejpal Conviction
A long time ago, in 2013, a man named Tarun Tejpal hurt a woman who worked with him.
Tejpal used to run a news magazine called Tehelka.
This year, a court found him guilty and said he must go to prison for 10 years.
After that, people started talking about a news company called Newslaundry.
They said Newslaundry had published a story that made Tejpal look like the good guy and blamed his victim instead.
That story was written by the sister of Newslaundry's co-founder, and it was later taken down.
Former workers at Newslaundry said they had complained about bad treatment at work, but nothing was done about it.
Some people also said the outlet's editor had made unkind comments about a very serious crime.
This news shows why people who do wrong things should be held responsible and why everyone should be treated with respect at work.
Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal was convicted and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for raping a colleague in 2013.
Newslaundry and co-founder Abhinandan Sekhri face scrutiny over allegations of a workplace culture of sexual harassment.
A 2014 Newslaundry article by Sekhri's sister Nirupama defended Tejpal and criticized the victim; it was later removed with a self-reflection note.
Former employees Sumedha Mittal and Priyanka Ishwari posted on X alleging inaction on sexual harassment and POSH complaints within the newsroom.
Newslaundry editor-in-chief Raman Kirpal was accused of downplaying a minor's rape in Nainital as an 'affair', and #MeToo-accused journalist Vikram Kilpady also worked at the outlet.
Journalist Saikiran Kannan first highlighted the matter of harassment complaints within Newslaundry.
- Who
- Tarun Tejpal, founder of Tehelka, convicted of rape; Newslaundry co-founder Abhinandan Sekhri and editor-in-chief Raman Kirpal face scrutiny over the outlet's handling of harassment complaints.
- What
- Tejpal was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for raping a colleague in 2013, and Newslaundry faces allegations of fostering a culture tolerant of sexual harassment and of publishing a 2014 article defending Tejpal.
- Where
- India, involving the news organizations Newslaundry and Tehelka; a related case concerned a minor's rape in Nainital.
- When
- Tejpal's conviction came in the week of August 2026; the rape occurred in 2013 and the controversial article was published in 2014.
- Why
- Former employees alleged that sexual harassment and POSH complaints within Newslaundry were not addressed, and Tejpal's conviction renewed scrutiny of media outlets that platformed or defended him.
Key facts
- Conviction
- Tarun Tejpal sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment
- Crime
- Rape of a colleague in 2013
- Organization under scrutiny
- Newslaundry
- Co-founder
- Abhinandan Sekhri
- 2014 article
- Written by Nirupama Sekhri, defended Tejpal, later removed
- Former employees who spoke out
- Sumedha Mittal and Priyanka Ishwari
- Editor-in-Chief
- Raman Kirpal, previously convicted of criminal defamation
- Other staff named
- Vikram Kilpady (#MeToo accused) and Saikiran Kannan (first highlighted the matter)
Quotes
Nirupama Sekhri
Sister of Newslaundry co‑founder Abhinandan Sekhri, former public defender of Tarun Tejpal
“He turned violent—pulled my hair, grabbed my wrists, held me against a wall and then pushed me on the bed. My attempts to break free failed. I started crying. He let me go. That’s the closest I have come to being raped.”
opindia.com
“To begin with, I would like to establish quite clearly that I do not see you as a victim, unless it is of bubblegum feminism which I will speak in detail of later.”
opindia.com








