Bombay High Court Convicts Journalist Tarun Tejpal in 2013 Rape Case, Overturns Acquittal
GUWAHATI: The Bombay High Court on Thursday convicted former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 rape case, overturning a Goa trial court’s 2021 acquittal. The court also sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹10.21 lakh, which is to be paid to the survivor. (Rediff)
A division bench of the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court held that the trial court had erred in its appreciation of the evidence and set aside the acquittal delivered in May 2021. The conviction comes nearly 13 years after the alleged incident involving a former junior colleague during an event in Goa in 2013. (Live Law)
The High Court convicted Tejpal under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code related to rape and assault on a woman. The sentence will run concurrently. Following submissions by the defence, the court granted Tejpal four weeks to surrender, extending the initial two-week period announced earlier in the day. (Rediff)
Tejpal, who has consistently denied the allegations, is expected to challenge the High Court’s verdict before the Supreme Court. His legal team informed the court of its intention to appeal the judgment. (Rediff)
The case has remained one of India’s most closely watched criminal proceedings involving a prominent media personality, with the High Court’s verdict marking a significant reversal of the earlier trial court decision. (The Times of India)
